SYDRIFIED'S TOP 20 | MPBL PLAYERS OF ALL-TIME (2026 EDITION) PART 1

INTRO: https://www.project-sydrified.com/the-mpbl-top-20-project

PART 1: https://www.project-sydrified.com/sydrified-s-top-20-mpbl-players-of-all-time-2026-edition-part-1

PART 2: https://www.project-sydrified.com/sydrified-s-top-20-mpbl-players-of-all-time-2026-edition-part-2

The MPBL was never meant to be just another basketball competition.

It became a proving ground for former pros, late bloomers, local heroes, and overlooked talents who found relevance, pride, and identity playing for their cities.

Over the years, MPBL has produced its own legends, players whose names are inseparable from winning, consistency, and cultural impact.

This list ranks the Top 20 Best MPBL Players of All-Time, based on individual accolades, team success, longevity, production, and how much each player shaped the league during their peak. Championships matter, but so does carrying a franchise. Awards matter, but so does nightly reliability.

This is not just about who was the best on paper, but who truly defined MPBL basketball.

Game starts now.

20 | HESED GABO

ALL-MPBL FIRST TEAM | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 1

ALL-STAR | 1

STATS | 8.7PPG - 3.1RPG - 6.1APG - 1.0SPG | 167 GAMES

Hesed Gabo came out of the JRU Heavy Bombers with a solid collegiate reputation. He then tried his luck in the 2019 PBA Draft, but went undrafted. With the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, he became a trusted floor general, earning one All-MPBL First Team selection and helping his team win a championship while reaching the Final Four twice. He was also named an MPBL All-Star, proving his real value came from his playmaking, leadership, and ability to run the offense. His MPBL success eventually earned him a brief stint with the NLEX Road Warriors, making him a strong example of how the MPBL can revive and elevate careers.

19 | MICHAEL MABULAC

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 1

ALL-STAR | 2

STATS | 10.1PPG - 8.0RPG - 1.9APG - 0.9SPG | 173 GAMES

By the time of his MPBL tenure, Mabulac was no longer a developing young player but a prime veteran expected to anchor the paint, secure rebounds, and provide steady leadership for every team he played for. The former JRU Heavy Bomber was selected in the third round of the 2015 PBA Draft by the San Miguel Beermen, but his playing time over two seasons was extremely limited as he played behind June Mar Fajardo. When he moved to the MPBL, however, his career found new life, as he became a dependable interior presence rather than a peripheral role player. In the league, he won a championship with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, earned one All-MPBL Second Team selection, and was named an All-Star twice.

18 | JUDEL FUENTES

ALL-MPBL FIRST TEAM | 1

ALL-STAR | 1

STATS | 14.1PPG - 3.6RPG - 2.2APG - 1.3SPG | 126 GAMES

Over four seasons in the league, Judel Fuentes has consistently averaged double figures, establishing himself as one of the MPBL’s top scoring machines. The former CEU Scorpion earned his first All-MPBL First Team selection with the San Juan Knights and later led the Quezon Huskers to back-to-back Finals appearances, losing to powerhouse teams Pampanga Giant Lanterns and Abra Weavers. He also has an All-Star appearance to his name, proving that he can dominate at a high level in the MPBL. Fuentes was selected 48th overall in the fourth round of the 2025 PBA Draft by the NLEX Road Warriors, but he went unsigned, which is both a pro and a con, because this means he can continue his career in the MPBL, with the possibility of winning his first MPBL title. At still only in his twenties, Fuentes remains a rising star and a foundational player whose impact on the league is undeniable.

17 | LEVI HERNANDEZ

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 1

ALL-STAR | 2

STATS | 14.0PPG - 3.6RPG - 1.1APG - 0.7SPG | 173 GAMES

Levi Hernandez entered the PBA scene as a sixth-round pick by TNT in the 2016 PBA Draft, coming off a solid NCAA career with the Arellano Chiefs. Unfortunately, he arrived in a loaded TNT lineup that limited his opportunities, often placing him as the 12th man or a practice player rather than a regular rotation piece. His career truly found direction when he moved to the MPBL, where he became a key figure for the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters. With Batangas, he helped lead the franchise to at least three Final Four appearances, proving his value as a steady and reliable guard in high-stakes games. Individually, he earned one All-MPBL Second Team selection and was named an All-Star twice.

16 | LJAY GONZALES

ALL-MPBL FIRST TEAM | 1

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 1

ALL-STAR | 1

STATS | 10.6PPG - 5.6RPG - 4.3APG - 1.5SPG | 72 GAMES

By the time LJ Gonzalez entered the MPBL, he was already widely regarded as one of the most promising young point guards in the country and a legitimate future PBA prospect, with some even believing he had the talent to play in international leagues. Playing for the FEU Tamaraws in the UAAP, Gonzales carried a heavy load, especially with the departure of RJ Abarrientos. Eventually signing with the Quezon Huskers, his MPBL career became one of the clearest examples of how the league can serve as a launching pad to the PBA. He won the MPBL Rookie of the Year award, earned an All-Star selection, and led Quezon to the MPBL Finals, marking the first of back-to-back Finals appearances for the franchise. Over his MPBL stint, he became a one-time All-MPBL First Team selection and a one-time All-MPBL Second Teamer. Because of what he did in the MPBL, Ljay was drafted 5th overall by the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2025 PBA Draft, effectively completing his transition from standout amateur to a PBA-ready quarterback.

15 | MIKE AYONAYON

ALL-MPBL FIRST TEAM | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2

FINALS MVP | 1

ALL-STAR | 1

STATS | 10.9PPG - 4.1RPG - 3.2APG - 1.2SPG | 101 GAMES

Mike Ayonayon played his college ball for the PCU Dolphins, the same school that produced stars like Jayson Castro and Beau Belga, although the school was no longer part of the NCAA during his time there, making his path to professional basketball more challenging. He joined the MPBL as part of the San Juan Knights, where his good showing would ultimately lead to him being selected third overall by the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2019 PBA Draft. During his first MPBL stint, he earned an All-MPBL First Team selection, won a championship with San Juan, and was named Finals MVP for his crucial role in that title run. He was so thankful to the squad that he even returned to the team, gaining permission from NLEX, in an attempt to help them repeat as champions (falling short in the Finals against Davao Occidental). Ayonayon saw action in the PBA with both NLEX and Blackwater, though his pro career did not fully meet expectations due to various injuries. In 2025, he returned to the MPBL with the Abra Weavers and won his second championship.

14 | CHRIS BITOON

ALL-MPBL FIRST TEAM | 1

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 1

ALL-STAR | 1

STATS | 10.0PPG - 3.3RPG - 4.3APG - 1.4SPG | 148 GAMES

Chris Bitoon is one of the league’s most versatile and reliable players, capable of contributing on both ends of the floor. His importance was especially evident during Manila’s MPBL championship run, where he played a significant role in the team’s success alongside Aris Dionisio. Throughout his MPBL career, Bitoon has been one of the league’s steady performers, earning one All-MPBL First Team selection and one All-MPBL Second Team selection. In addition to his championship, he was also named an MPBL All-Star, further highlighting his impact. Ultimately, Bitoon represents the ideal glue guy and utility player, someone who can shift seamlessly between being a starter, a defensive specialist, or a key contributor off the bench.

13 | ROBBY CELIZ

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 2

ALL-STAR | 3

STATS | 12.3PPG - 6.5RPG - 3.0APG - 0.6SPG - 1.1BPG | 142 GAMES

Robby Celiz was selected in the second round of the 2013 PBA Draft by TNT. During his time in the PBA, consistent playing time never really came his way. After a few seasons, the former ABL and PSL champion found himself out of the league. When he moved to the MPBL, he experienced a career rebirth. Celis has been part of the MPBL since its early days, and while he has yet to win a championship, he has made his presence felt on an individual level. Celiz is a two-time All-MPBL Second Teamer and a three-time All-Star, mostly with the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards. Celiz was able to showcase his talent and value in the league when given the opportunity.

12 | JECKSTER APINAN

ALL-MPBL FIRST TEAM | 1

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 1

ALL-STAR | 1

STATS | 9.6PPG - 7.9RPG - 2.8APG - 1.5SPG | 180 GAMES

Jeckster Apinan went undrafted in the 2013 PBA Draft but eventually found opportunities in the league, suiting up for teams such as NLEX and Kia. However, he never secured consistent playing time, nor did he experience significant team success, which eventually led to his exit from the PBA. Much like most players on this list, the MPBL became the platform where his career was revitalized. Playing for Makati, Pasig, and Batangas, Apinan rediscovered the form that once made him a standout during his NCAA days with the JRU Heavy Bombers. During his MPBL stint, he earned one All-MPBL First Team selection, one All-MPBL Second Team selection, and an All-Star appearance, while leading his teams to the Final Four on three occasions.

11 | ARCHIE CONCEPCION

ALL-MPBL SECOND TEAM | 2

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 2

ALL-STAR | 2

STATS | 13.2PPG - 3.6RPG - 2.4APG - 1.1SPG | 128 GAMES

Archie Concepcion was regarded as one of the best shooters of his NCAA era during his time with the Arellano Chiefs. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 PBA Draft by the Blackwater Elite, but his stint with the team was extremely brief, as he appeared in five games. After his release, Concepcion returned to the MPBL, where he showcased his shooting prowess and overall value, winning two MPBL championships while earning two All-MPBL Second Team selections and two All-Star appearances as part of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. His strong performances eventually prompted the Converge FiberXers, where his Pampanga coach, Delta Pineda, was also calling the shots. Concepcion was signed as a free agent, and this allowed the scoring assassin to reestablish himself in the PBA under a system that maximizes his strengths.