Following the pre-season invitational action, the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) officially tipped off last April 10, 2026, with the league transitioning into a full 28-team competition. Two Northern matchups and two Southern showdowns collided in an electrifying basketball opener, as teams battled for pride and survival on the court.
Battle of the North
Held at the Caloocan Sports Complex, Game 1 saw the intense showdown between the San Juan Knights and the Pasay Voyagers. San Juan asserted dominance from start to finish, outmatching Pasay in every quarter to seal the 90-61 victory marked by control and consistency.
Powering 14 points and three triples, Gerry Abadiano of San Juan was named as Best Player from Game 1. Dexter Maiquez and Michael Calisaan also provided strong support to this victory with 11 points and 10 points, respectively.
After the San Juan-Pasay rivalry, Caloocan Batang Kankaloo went head-to-head against the Quezon City Black Bulls for Game 2. As the game progressed, Caloocan showed a solid offensive attack and relentless defense, securing a convincing 89-63 win over Quezon City.
Kymani Ladi of Caloocan was recognized as Best Player after delivering an all-around performance with 12 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, followed by Jeff Manday contributing 14 points to their win.
Bringing Heat from the South
As the action heated up in the North, another basketball match was simultaneously held at the Alonte Sports Arena featuring the teams from the South.
Cebu Greats and Rizal XentroMall squared off in the thrilling Game 1, with both sides determined to impose supremacy. Throughout the match, Cebu Greats cruised past Rizal XentroMall with a commanding performance, 81-65.
Former UP Maroons Jun Manzo and Paul Desiderio fueled the team’s triumph. Manzo finished with 29 points, including five three-pointers, three rebounds, and three assists that earned him the Best Player honors, while Desiderio tallied 11 points and five assists.
With Game 1 done, the energy carried to Game 2, where GenSan Warriors and Biñan Tatak Gel faced off on the court. Powered by Kris Porter’s game-winning shot and strong support from Kyle Tolentino and Hesed Gabo, GenSan Warriors secured a solid 71-67 win over Biñan.
Regular Season Intensifies
The double-header from North and South marked a positive start for the regional basketball league. After the opening slate of matches, MPBL teams shift their attention to the rest of the regular season, focusing on refining their games and strengthening their position in the standings. Early results have already set the tone, and the real battle for the championship title continues.