2023 MPBL finals

After back-to-back division semifinals appearances in 2020 and 2022, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns loaded its roster throughout the course of the 2023 season.

Led by their head coach in Pampanga governor Dennis Pineda, the homegrown-laden Giant Lanterns finished the regular season with a league-best 26–2, only losing to Batangas and Makati.

Ever since joining as Cavite's second team, Bacoor City has seen success in the semi-professional era with 2019 MVP Gab Banal.

After finishing with a losing record in 2022 following Banal's move to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), a rebuild followed ahead of the 2023 season which saw the arrivals of Jhan Nermal, James Kwekuteye, and the return of Michael Cañete.

Also joining the Strikers is former MPBL Finals MVP and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Mark Yee.

Coached by Alex Angeles, Bacoor City finished the season as the South Division's top seed with a 23–5 record.

The Pampanga Giant Lanterns (26–2) held homecourt advantage in the series for having a better regular season record than the Bacoor City Strikers (23–5).

After his stint with the Letran Knights during NCAA Season 99, Kurt Reyson made his return to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns roster.

Coming off the bench, Reyson became the Player of the Game as he scored 22 points on 75% shooting, including a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc.

In the losing effort, both Jhaymo Eguilos and Jhan Nermal scored 16 points for the Bacoor City Strikers.

Dennis Pineda was awarded with the Coach of the Year, while Baltazar was named the season's Finals MVP.