The Tigers entered the season as the reigning South Division champions with a 20–5 record in the previous season. Davao Occidental followed that up by tying the record for most regular season wins in a single season at 26, tying the San Juan Knights that same season and later the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in 2023 and 2024. With a 26–4 record, Davao Occidental became the first, and only team to date, to clinch the best division record in back-to-back seasons.
In the playoffs, Davao Occidental first beat Bicol in three games and later swept Zamboanga. Their South Division finals series against the Basilan Steel was tied before it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time the playoffs resumed in 2021, multiple Basilan Steel members were tested positive for the virus, ruling them out of the playoffs and setting up a rematch against the San Juan Knights in the national finals, which the Tigers would get their revenge and win the series in four games.[1] Due to their move to the Pilipinas Super League in 2022, the Tigers wouldn't compete in the MPBL until their eventual return in 2024.
Source: Standings Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2a) If two teams are tied, head-to-head match-up; 2b) If three or more teams are tied, head-to-head point quotient; 3) overall point quotient; 4) coin toss. Notes:
^Zamboanga (1.071), Iloilo (0.976), and General Santos (0.960) are ranked based on head-to-head point quotient.
^Originally, scheduled for March 17, 2021, Davao Occidental won the game by default due to multiple Basilan Steel members being tested positive for COVID-19.