View source for 2019 MPBL finals

{{Short description|Championship series of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2018–19 season}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox basketball final
| league = MPBL
| year = 2019
| image = 
| image_size = 
| image_alt = 
| caption = 
<!-- CHAMPION/RUNNERUP -->
| champion = [[San Juan Knights]]
| champion_coach = Randy Alcantara
| champion_games = 3
| runnerup = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]
| runnerup_coach = [[Don Dulay]]
| runnerup_games = 2

| dates = April 11–25, 2019
| MVP = [[Mike Ayonayon]]
| NDF result = [[San Juan Knights|San Juan]] def. [[Manila Stars|Manila]], 2–1
| SDF result = [[Davao Occidental Tigers|Davao Occidental]] def. <br>[[Batangas City Athletics|Batangas City]], 2–1
|next=[[2021 MPBL finals|2021]]|prev=[[2018 MPBL Rajah Cup finals|2018]]}}

The '''2019 MPBL finals,''' also known as the '''MPBL Datu Cup finals''', was the championship series of the [[Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League]]'s (MPBL) [[2018–19 MPBL season|2018–19 season]] and the conclusion of the [[2019 MPBL playoffs|season's playoffs]]. The North Division champion [[San Juan Knights]] defeated the South Division champion [[Davao Occidental Tigers]], 3–2, as they were crowned the league's second champions. [[Mike Ayonayon]] is also named the season's [[MPBL Finals MVP|Finals MVP]].<ref>{{cite news |title=MPBL: San Juan downs Davao Occidental captures title in dramatic fashion |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/25/19/mpbl-san-juan-downs-davao-occidental-to-capture-datu-cup-title |accessdate=27 April 2019 |work=ABS-CBN Sports |date=25 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Llanes |first1=Gianna |title=San Juan Knights are MPBL Datu Cup Champions |url=https://canadianinquirer.net/v1/2019/04/26/san-juan-knights-are-mpbl-datu-cup-champions/ |access-date=7 March 2024 |work=Philippine Canadian Inquirer |date=26 April 2019}}</ref> This finals matchup would go on to ignite a [[Davao Occidental–San Juan basketball rivalry|rivalry]] between the two teams.

Both the first-seeded Davao Occidental and third-seeded San Juan held the same regular season record (20–5), but the former held [[homecourt advantage]] as they beat San Juan in their regular season match-up. It is the first of back-to-back finals between the two teams.

== Background ==

=== San Juan Knights ===
The San Juan Knights entered the season as heavy favorites to win the national championship, as they are loaded with a mix of ex-pro players, collegiate players and homegrown players. They finished the regular season with a 20–5 win–loss record, tying with the Manila Stars for third place as both teams had an identical record. The Knights were able to clinch the third seed as they defeated the Stars in the eliminations. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, The Knights easily dealt the [[Navotas Clutch]] and the [[Quezon City Capitals]] both in just two games each series. The division finals saw their sister team, [[Manila Stars]] battling them for the Northern Division title. The series went to a decider, where the team would eventually defeat the Stars in Game 3 to clinch North Division title and move to their first ever MPBL finals appearance.

=== Davao Occidental Tigers ===
Davao Occidental Tigers came in to the tournament as the 2018 Preseason Champions winning over the Manila Stars in the finals. The Tigers ended their regular season with 20–5 win–loss record, to become the top seed in the South Division and clinch homecourt advantage for the division playoffs. They easily defeated the [[Cebu City Sharks]] and the [[Bacoor City Strikers]] in the first round and in the division semifinals, both sweeping in two games each series. In the division finals, they faced the defending champions [[Batangas City Athletics]] but were pushed to the limits, even forcing a Game 3 decider before escaping the Athletics, to claim its division title and advance to its first ever MPBL finals appearance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Joble |first1=Rey |title=MPBL: Davao Occidental devours Batangas, books trip to MPBL National Finals |url=https://www.foxsports.ph/basketball/mpbl/996749/mpbl-davao-occi-devours-batangas-books-trip-to-mpbl-natl-finals/ |accessdate=8 April 2019 |work=Fox Sports Philippines |date=8 April 2019}}</ref>

== Road to the finals ==

{| style="width:100%; font-size:90%" class="wikitable"
|- valign=top
! colspan="2" style="width:45%;"| [[San Juan Knights]] (Northern Division Champion) !! !! colspan="2" style="width:45%;"| [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] (Southern Division Champion)
|-
|align=left|
{{2019 MPBL Northern Division standings|showteam=SJK|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}} 3rd seed in the North, 4th best league record
!colspan=2|[[2018 MPBL Datu Cup#Regular season|Regular season]]
|{{2018 MPBL Southern Division standings|showteam=DVO|only_pld_pts=no_hide_class_rules}} 1st seed in the South, 3rd best league record
|-
|align=right|Defeated 6th-seeded [[Navotas Clutch]], 2–0
!colspan=2|First Round
|align=left|Defeated 8th-seeded [[Cebu City Sharks]], 2–0
|-
|align=right|Defeated 7th-seeded [[Quezon City Capitals]], 2–0
!colspan=2|Division semifinals
|align=left|Defeated 5th-seeded [[Bacoor Strikers|Bacoor City Strikers]], 2–0
|-
|align=right|Defeated 4th-seeded [[Manila Stars]], 2–1
!colspan=2|Division finals
|align=left|Defeated 2nd-seeded [[Batangas City Athletics]], 2–1
|}

=== Head-to-head matchup ===
Since both teams have an identical 20–5 win–loss record, the [[Davao Occidental Tigers]] will hold the homecourt advantage for the title series as they defeated the [[San Juan Knights]] in the eliminations.
{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #eee
 | date       = December 18
 | time       = 09:00 pm
 | report     = [http://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MPBL/1040613/bs.html Boxscore]
 | teamA      = '''[[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''
 | scoreA     = '''87'''
 | teamB      = [[San Juan Knights]]
 | scoreB     = 75
 | overtime   =
 | Q1         = '''19'''–17
 | Q2         = '''21'''–17
 | Q3         = '''24'''–17
 | Q4         = 23–'''24'''
 | OT         = 
 | points1    = Emman Calo 23
 | rebounds1  = Calo, Raymundo 9 each
 | assist1    = Terso, Robles 5 each
 | otherstat1 = 
 | points2    = Larry Rodriguez 14
 | rebounds2  = Larry Muyang 10
 | assist2    = Larry Rodriguez 5
 | otherstat2 =
 | duration   =
 | place      = Rizal Memorial College Gymnasium, [[Davao City]]
 | attendance = 
 | referee    = Dan Marabe, Julius Tiquio, Jojo Belnas
 | TV         = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]]<br>[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]
 | series     = 
}}

== Series summary ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Game !! Date !! Away team !! Result !! Home team !! Venue
|-
| 1 || April 11 || '''San Juan Knights''' || 84–74 <br> (1–0) || Davao Occidental Tigers || [[Davao City Recreation Center]]
|-
| 2 || April 13 || San Juan Knights || 60–67 <br> (1–1) || '''Davao Occidental Tigers''' || Rizal Memorial College Gym
|-
| 3 || April 16 || Davao Occidental Tigers || 62–67 <br> (1–2) || '''San Juan Knights''' || [[Filoil Flying V Centre]]
|-
| 4 || April 22 || '''Davao Occidental Tigers''' || 77–66 <br> (2–2) || San Juan Knights || [[Filoil Flying V Centre]]
|-
| 5 || April 25 || '''San Juan Knights''' || 87–86 <br> (3–2) || Davao Occidental Tigers || Rizal Memorial College Gym
|}

== Game summaries ==
=== Game 1 ===
{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #eee
 | date       = April 11
 | time       = 9:00 pm
 | report     = [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MPBL/1134507/bs.html Boxscore]
 | teamA      = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]
 | scoreA     = 74
 | teamB      = '''[[San Juan Knights]]'''
 | scoreB     = '''84'''
 | overtime   =
 | Q1         = 17–'''25'''
 | Q2         = 15–'''24'''
 | Q3         = '''24'''–17
 | Q4         = 18–18
 | OT         = 
 | points1    = Emman Calo 27
 | rebounds1  = [[Mark Yee|Yee]] 8
 | assist1    = [[Bonbon Custodio|Custodio]] 6
 | otherstat1 = 
 | points2    = [[John Wilson (basketball)|Wilson]] 21
 | rebounds2  = [[John Wilson (basketball)|Wilson]], Clarito 8 each
 | assist2    = [[Mark Cardona|Cardona]] 5
 | otherstat2 =
 | duration   =
 | place      = [[Davao City Recreation Center]], [[Davao City]]
 | attendance = 
 | referee    = Jovet Ocfemia, Dan Marabe, Michael Quinay
 | TV         = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]]<br>[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]<br>[[IWant|iWant Sports]]
 | series     = San Juan leads series, 1–0
}}

=== Game 2 ===
{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #eee
 | date       = April 13
 | time       = 3:30 pm
 | report     = 
 | teamA      = '''[[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''
 | scoreA     = '''67'''
 | teamB      = [[San Juan Knights]]
 | scoreB     = 60
 | overtime   =
 | Q1         = '''21'''–13
 | Q2         = 16–16
 | Q3         = '''16'''–11
 | Q4         = 14–'''20'''
 | OT         = 
 | points1    = Billy Robles 17
 | rebounds1  = Bogs Raymundo, [[Mark Yee|Yee]] 10
 | assist1    = [[Mark Yee|Yee]] 5
 | otherstat1 = 
 | points2    = [[Mike Ayonayon|Ayonayon]] 17
 | rebounds2  = [[Larry Rodriguez (basketball)|Rodriguez]] 8
 | assist2    = [[John Wilson (basketball)|Wilson]] 4
 | otherstat2 =
 | duration   =
 | place      = Rizal Memorial College Gymnasium, [[Davao City]]
 | attendance = 
 | referee    = 
 | TV         = [[ABS-CBN]]<br>[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]<br>[[IWant|iWant Sports]]
 | series     = Series tied, 1–1
}}

=== Game 3 ===
{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #eee
 | date       = April 15
 | time       = 9:00 pm
 | report     = [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MPBL/1134504/ Boxscore]
 | teamA      = '''[[San Juan Knights]]'''
 | scoreA     = '''67'''
 | teamB      = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]
 | scoreB     = 62
 | overtime   =
 | Q1         = 13–'''20'''
 | Q2         = '''18'''–9
 | Q3         = 20–'''24'''
 | Q4         = '''16'''–9
 | OT         = 
 | points1    = [[Mike Ayonayon|Ayonayon]] 15
 | rebounds1  = Jhonard Clarito 18
 | assist1    = [[Mark Cardona|Cardona]], Isit 3 each
 | otherstat1 = 
 | points2    = Bogs Raymundo 15
 | rebounds2  = [[Mark Yee|Yee]] 13
 | assist2    = [[Bonbon Custodio|Custodio]] 4
 | otherstat2 =
 | duration   =
 | place      = [[Filoil Flying V Centre]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]]
 | attendance = 
 | referee    = 
 | TV         = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]]<br>[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]<br>[[IWant|iWant Sports]]
 | series     = San Juan leads series, 2–1
}}

=== Game 4 ===
{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #eee
 | date       = April 22
 | time       = 9:00pm
 | report     = [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MPBL/1137684/ Boxscore]
 | teamA      = [[San Juan Knights]]
 | scoreA     = 66
 | teamB      = '''[[Davao Occidental Tigers]]'''
 | scoreB     = '''77'''
 | overtime   =
 | Q1         = '''17'''–12
 | Q2         = 17–17
 | Q3         = '''19'''–16
 | Q4         = 13–'''32'''
 | OT         = 
 | points1    = Orlan Wamar 19
 | rebounds1  = [[John Wilson (basketball)|Wilson]] 12
 | assist1    = [[Mike Ayonayon|Ayonayon]] 5
 | otherstat1 = 
 | points2    = Billy Robles 22
 | rebounds2  = Billy Robles 18
 | assist2    = BIlly Robles 3
 | otherstat2 =
 | duration   =
 | place      = [[Filoil Flying V Centre]], [[San Juan, Metro Manila|San Juan]]
 | attendance = 
 | referee    = Bert Gica, Jay Castroverde, Carol Guay
 | TV         = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]]<br>[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]<br>[[IWant|iWant Sports]]
 | series     = Series tied, 2–2
}}

=== Game 5 ===
{{basketballbox
 | bg         = #eee
 | date       = April 25
 | time       = 9:00 pm
 | report     = [https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/MPBL/1141899/bs.html Boxscore]
 | teamA      = [[Davao Occidental Tigers]]
 | scoreA     = 86
 | teamB      = '''[[San Juan Knights]]'''
 | scoreB     = '''87'''
 | overtime   =
 | Q1         = 15–'''21'''
 | Q2         = 20–'''28'''
 | Q3         = '''33'''–14
 | Q4         = 18–'''24'''
 | OT         = 
 | points1    = [[Mark Yee|Yee]] 27
 | rebounds1  = Yee 7
 | assist1    = Robles 4
 | otherstat1 = 
 | points2    = [[Mike Ayonayon|Ayonayon]] 33
 | rebounds2  = [[Larry Rodriguez (basketball)|Larry Rodriguez]] 13
 | assist2    = [[Mark Cardona|Cardona]], Wamar 5 each
 | otherstat2 =
 | duration   =
 | place      = Rizal Memorial College Gymnasium, [[Davao City]]
 | attendance = 
 | referee    = Jay Castroverde, Michael Quinay, Carol Guay
 | TV         = [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]]<br>[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports]]<br>[[IWant|iWant Sports]]
 | series     = San Juan wins series, 3–2
}}

== Broadcast notes ==
[[ABS-CBN Sports]] and [[ABS-CBN Regional Network Group]] is the official broadcaster of the Datu Cup finals that were aired via [[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]], [[ABS-CBN]] and on [[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports Philippines]].

[[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports Philippines]] provided the English-language coverage of the title series.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan=2|Game !!colspan=3|[[ABS-CBN Sports and Action|S+A]] & [[Fox Sports Asia|Fox Sports Philippines]]
|-
! [[Play-by-play]] !! [[Color commentator|Analyst]] !! [[Sideline reporter|Courtside reporter]]
|-
| Game 1 || Martin Antonio || Christian Luanzon || Shiela Salaysay
|- 
| Game 2 ||  Martin Antonio || Christian Luanzon || Shiela Salaysay 
|-
| Game 3 || Cedelf Tupas || Rodney Santos || Sel Guevara
|-
| Game 4 || Martin Javier || Christian Luanzon || Nikki Viola
|-
| Game 5 || Cedelf Tupas || Jayvee Gayoso|| Sel Guevara
|}
*Additional Game 5 crew:
**Trophy presentation: [[Dyan Castillejo]]

== Prizes ==
The San Juan Knights won the P10 million pesos worth of 18-karat gold trophy, similar to that NBA's Larry O'Brien Trophy, and ball rings which will await the National Champions as per league founder [[Manny Pacquiao|Sen. Manny Pacquiao]] and Commissioner [[Kenneth Duremdes]].<ref>{{cite news |title=MPBL: National Champions to get trophy worth ten million pesos |url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/06/12/mpbl-national-champions-get-trophy-worth-p-10-million-42867 |accessdate=5 April 2019 |date=12 June 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{MPBL finals}}
{{2018–19 MPBL season by team}}
{{San Juan Knights 2019 MPBL Datu Cup Champions}}

[[Category:2018–19 MPBL season|Finals]]
[[Category:Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Finals]]
[[Category:2019 in Philippine sport]]
[[Category:Davao Occidental Tigers–San Juan Knights rivalry]]