2023 GenSan Warriors season explained

The 2023 GenSan Warriors season was the fourth season of the franchise in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Despite continuous improvement by the team, it has still yet to get past the division quarterfinals following their loss to Bacolod last season.^[1] Following the arrivals of former MPBL Most Valuable Player John Wilson and reigning Rookie of the Year Kyt Jimenez,^[2] the Warriors once again improved with not just a 21–7 record but also claiming a top-three seed for the first time.

In the division quarterfinals, General Santos faced against the Muntinlupa Cagers. The series ended up reaching a third game, which GenSan would win, 85–78, getting their first ever playoff series win.^[3] The Warriors' division semifinals series against the Batangas City Embassy Chill also ended up going the full length, but this time, GenSan would fall to Batangas City, ending their season.^[4]

This is the first season in which the team didn't play any home games during the regular season or playoffs, although they were one of two home teams for this season's Preseason Invitational.

Preseason

The GenSan Warriors were one of eight teams that took part in the 2023 MPBL Preseason Invitational at the Lagao Gymnasium in General Santos. It was the second Preseason Invitational appearance for the franchise. The Warriors failed to make the playoffs after finishing Group B in third place with a 1–3 record.

Schedule

2023 GenSan Warriors Preseason Invitational schedule
Stage	Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record	Recap <	-- Group stage -->
Group stage	1	February 21		W 82–73	Lagao Gymnasium	1–0
	2	February 22		L 67–73	Lagao Gymnasium	1–1
	3	February 24		L 61–78	Lagao Gymnasium	1–2
Source: Schedule

Regular season

Schedule

2023 GenSan Warriors season schedule
Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Record	Recap <	-- March – May -->
1	March 23		W 87–78	Baliwag Star Arena	1–0
2	March 30		W 88–74		2–0
3	April 13		W 89–77		3–0
4	April 20		W 80–78		4–0
5	April 25		W 85–80	Cuneta Astrodome	5–0
6	May 2		W 68–64	Imus City Sports Complex	6–0
7	May 8		L 81–83	Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center	6–1
8	May 13		L 72–79		6–2
9	May 22		W 87–69	Baliwag Star Arena	7–2
10	May 26		L 68–74		7–3
11	June 3		W 91–76	Quezon Convention Center	8–3
12	June 10		L 60–67	Batangas City Coliseum	8–4
13	June 19		W 86–84	Batangas City Coliseum	9–4
14	June 23		W 89–71	Baliwag Star Arena	10–4
15	June 27		W 89–82		11–4
16	July 4		W 95–90	Sentrong Pangkabataan	12–4
17	July 8		W 89–55	Quezon Convention Center	13–4
18	July 14		W 121–80	Filoil EcoOil Centre	14–4
19	July 20		L 83–88	Filoil EcoOil Centre	14–5
20	July 25		W 118–77		15–5
21	July 31		W 74–71	Passi City Arena	16–5
22	August 4		W 109–86	Muntinlupa Sports Center	17–5
23	August 11		W 82–70	Muntinlupa Sports Center	18–5
24	August 16		L 93–97		18–6
25	August 19		W 87–70	Bataan People's Center	19–6
26	September 14		W 99–65	Bataan People's Center	20–6
27	September 21		W 114–92	Nueva Ecija Coliseum	21–6
28	September 28		L 58–75	Nueva Ecija Coliseum	21–7
Source: Schedule

Playoffs

Schedule

2023 GenSan Warriors playoff schedule
Round	Game	Date	Opponent	Score	Location	Series	Recap <	-- Division Quarterfinals -->
Division quarterfinals	1	October 10		W 79–70	Batangas City Coliseum	1–0	Recap
	2	October 17	Muntinlupa	L 91–99	Strike Gymnasium	1–1	Recap
	3	October 24	Muntinlupa	W 85–78	Paco Arena	2–1	Recap
Division semifinals	1	October 28		L 75–81	Strike Gymnasium	0–1	Recap
	2	November 4	Batangas City	W 61–55	Batangas City Coliseum	1–1	Recap
	3	November 7	Batangas City	L 62–66	Batangas City Coliseum	1–2	Recap
Source: Schedule

Notes and References

1. Web site: Co . Adrian Stewart . 2022-11-07 . Bacolod edges GenSan, enters MPBL south semis . 2024-01-12 . Panay News . en-GB.
2. Web site: Jervy Cruz joins Kyt Jimenez at GenSan Warriors in MPBL . 2024-01-12 . Spin.ph . en.
3. Web site: GenSan trounces Muntinlupa, tackles Batangas in semifinals . 2024-01-12 . Manila Bulletin . en.
4. Web site: MPBL: Batangas ousts GenSan, sets up rematch with Bacoor in South finals . 2024-01-12 . Spin.ph . en.