The 2021 MPBL Invitational, officially known as the Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational powered by TM for sponsorship reasons, was the preseason tournament for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's (MPBL) 2022 season, and the first tournament under the Invitational label. It commenced on December 11, 2021 and ended on December 23, 2021.
It was the league's first event as a professional league, being granted professional status by the Games and Amusements Board earlier in the year. It was also the first professional sports event in the Philippines to allow live audiences since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay was the venue used for all of the Invitational games at 50% capacity for spectators.
Philip Manalang hit the championship-winning buzzer beater as the Basilan Jumbo Plastic became the 2021 Invitational champions, beating the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in overtime, 83-80. Philip Manalang was adjudged as the tournament Finals MVP.
Format
The format for this tournament was as follows: All teams were divided into four groups that would play in a single round-robin format. Every team plays against the other teams in the same group once. The top two teams in each group would advance to a single elimination playoffs. All series in the playoffs are single game series; the team must win the match for them to stay and advance. The top three teams overall received prize money based on their standings: ₱2 million for the champion, ₱500,000 for the runner-up, and ₱250,000 for the third-place team. For the 2021 Invitational only, all roster regulations have been lifted.
Entertainment
For the first time since the level of restriction for live musical events were relaxed, Filipino pop and R&B band South Border performed their reunion concert at the pregame ceremony of the Invitational finals, while rock band MOJOFLY performed during the halftime show.
Teams
Of the 31 teams that participated in the previous season, 21 took part in the Invitational. The ten teams that opted out include: the Bataan Risers, Batangas City Athletics, Cebu Casino Ethyl Alcohol, Davao Occidental Tigers, Navotas Uni-Pak Sardines, Pampanga Giant Lanterns, Parañaque Patriots, Pasay Voyagers, Quezon City Capitals, and Zamboanga Family's Brand Sardines.
In addition, the Invitational also featured the first appearance of the Negros Muscovados, bringing the total to 22 teams.
Name changes
The Bacolod Master Sardines changed its name to All-Star Bacolod Ballers
The Biñan City Luxxe White changed its name to Laguna Heroes Krah Asia
The Caloocan Supremos changed its team name to Caloocan Excellence
The Imus Bandera - Luxxe Slim changed its name to Imus Buracai de Laiya
The Makati Super Crunch changed its name to Makati FSD Blazers
The Marikina Shoemasters changed its name to Marikina Shoe City
The Mindoro Tamaraws changed its name to Mindoro EOG Burlington
The Rizal Golden Coolers changed its name to Emkai-Rizal Xentromall
The Valenzuela Classic changed its name to Valenzuela MJAS Zenith
Draw
The draw for the group stage took place on November 26, 2021 at the Crowne Plaza in Pasig, at 3:00 p.m. PST, hosted by Mark Zambrano and Christian Luanzon. The 22 teams were drawn into four groups, two groups of six teams (Groups A and D) and two groups of five teams (Groups B and C).
Basilan, being the champion of the Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup 1st Conference, was automatically assigned to Group B as team B1. San Juan, being the runner-up of the 2019–20 season, was assigned to Group C as team C1. The remaining 20 teams were determined by drawing of lots.
Group stage
Group A
Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.
Group B
Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.
Group C
Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.
Group D
Not all games are in home–away format. Each team plays every team once. Number of asterisks after each score denotes number of overtimes played.