Makati Kings

Makati Skyscrapers

Alias
Makati Kings
Leagues Played
Filipinas - MPBL 102
Links
Wikipedia

Wikipedia - Makati OKBet Kings

The Makati OKBet Kings are a Filipino professional basketball team based in Makati. The team competes in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) as a member of the league's North Division. They are one of four teams based in Metro Manila's Manila District and play their home games at Makati Coliseum.

The team began play in the 2018–19 season as the Makati Skyscrapers and has since gone under multiple names. The team also competed in Filbasket as the AFP–FSD Makati Cavaliers, and in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3. Since the 2023 season, the team is owned and sponsored by sports betting platform OKBet.

History

2018–2020: Initial success

On April 10, 2018, the City Government of Makati launched the Makati Skyscrapers as one of 16 expansion teams for the MPBL's 2018–19 season. Out of those 16 expansion teams, Makati was the team with the best record, finishing 21–4, only behind the league-leading Bataan Risers. This success, however, cannot be matched in the playoffs, as the second-seeded team in the North were swept by the seventh-seeded Quezon City Capitals in the First Round.

The team was able to continue their winning prowess in the 2019–20 season, finishing 22–8 and claiming the North Division's third seed. In the playoffs, the team first swept Bulacan in the First Round and beat Manila in a close series in the Division Semifinals.

Makati made its first appearance in the Division Finals, and were challenged to face against the defending champion San Juan Knights. After losing to San Juan in game 1 as the visiting team, the team was set to host game 2 at home. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, game 2 would be moved to San Juan to be played Behind closed doors. Still, Makati persevered and forced a game 3 by a close margin. Later on, the league suspended play as the pandemic continuously affected the country, forcing the Division Finals to be halted after game 2.

2021–2022: Abrupt fallout

One year later, the league continued play under a bio-secure bubble at the Subic Bay Gymnasium. The pandemic brought a financial crisis to the Makati team, which led to a major scuffle as core players decided to not play for the team in the deciding game 3. By game 3, Makati only fielded a five-man roster, which caused San Juan to eliminate Makati by a wide 77-point margin.

The fallout of Makati continued on as the team failed to make the playoffs of the 2021 Invitational, and as the 2022 season came around, the team only captured two wins in the 21-game season, making them the worst team in the North Division and missing the playoffs for the first time.

2023: Returning to the winning column

Prior to the 2023 season, gaming company and MPBL title sponsor OKBet acquired the franchise of the team. The team was completely rebuilt as the team went back to where they were three years ago, once again claiming the third seed in the North with a record of 21–7, which includes wins against Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Batangas City.

In the First Round, the team will once again face against the San Juan Knights, the team that last eliminated them in 2021.

Los Makati Skyscrapers son un equipo de baloncesto profesional filipino con sede en Makati, Metro Manila. El equipo compite en la Liga de Baloncesto Filipina (PBA). Los Skyscrapers fueron fundados en 1990 y son propiedad de la empresa de bienes raíces Century Properties. El equipo juega sus partidos en casa en el Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Los Skyscrapers han ganado dos campeonatos de la PBA, en 1995 y 1998. También han sido subcampeones en cuatro ocasiones, en 1991, 1992, 1993 y 1996. Los Skyscrapers son conocidos por su estilo de juego rápido y ofensivo. El equipo cuenta con un grupo de jugadores jóvenes y talentosos, liderados por el base estrella Jayson Castro y el delantero estrella Troy Rosario.

Los Skyscrapers son uno de los equipos más populares de la PBA. El equipo tiene una gran base de aficionados en Makati y en todo el país. Los Skyscrapers son también un equipo muy activo en la comunidad. El equipo organiza clínicas de baloncesto para niños y participa en varios programas de responsabilidad social.

Los Skyscrapers son un equipo en ascenso en la PBA. El equipo tiene un futuro brillante y está decidido a ganar más campeonatos en los años venideros.