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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider The swift rise of Abra Solid North in the MPBL

The swift rise of Abra Solid North in the MPBL

Published Dec 21, 2025 08:27 am

At A Glance

  • Disappointed after reaching only the quarterfinal playoffs in their maiden season last year, Abra Solid North Weavers owner Rep. JB Bernos did the next best thing – prepared the team early and covered all the bases.
Disappointed after reaching only the quarterfinal playoffs in their maiden season last year, Abra Solid North Weavers owner Rep. JB Bernos did the next best thing – prepared the team early and covered all the bases.
Abra Solid North Weavers owner Rep. JB Bernos holds the MPBL National Championship trophy as he celebrates with his team after completing a three-game sweep of the Quezon Huskers.
Abra Solid North Weavers owner Rep. JB Bernos holds the MPBL National Championship trophy as he celebrates with his team after completing a three-game sweep of the Quezon Huskers.
“We learned so many lessons from our initial foray, so I made sure to get the best people available around, from the manager to the players,” said Bernos. “And luckily, we were able to convince some of the best players around like Encho (Serrano) and Dave (Ildefonso). And everything just fell into place.
And the result was a magical journey as the Yong Garcia-mentored Weavers downed the Quezon Huskers, 94-85, in overtime to complete a three-game sweep of the MPBL Season 2025 National Championship on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Apart from the team’s thorough preparation, Bernos, long noted for his generosity, also credited the strong family support – wife Rep. Ching Bernos and even his 78-year-old mother, Danglas Mayor Esther B. Bernos – for the team’s record-breaking championship run.
Rep. JB Bernos and wife, Rep. Bernos, enjoy the golden moment with family members.
Rep. JB Bernos and wife, Rep. Bernos, enjoy the golden moment with family members.
“Everyone in the family and even the people of Abra, they love basketball so much that their support during our games, even during the elimination round was overwhelming,” said Bernos. “If you have the support of everyone you love and respect then everything looks easy. Sadly, my mother missed our championship because she had a prior commitment to her constituents.”
Abra’s record winning streak of 36 games was far from easy but Bernos stressed that the desire and resolve were there for everyone to see plus the brilliance of Serrano, Ildefonso and Fil-Am Jason Brickman did wonders to the team.
Did Bernos expect to win the championship by a sweep? Absolutely not. Not even Garcia.
Knowing full well the capability of the Huskers, Bernos was expecting a bad day but not in the first two games where the series took place at their bailiwick – the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.
The “sweep thing” only occurred after taking Game 2, 62-58, and to make the team bonus even more palatable, he made a ‘sweet promise.’
So he was not surprised to see his players carrying only a suitcase good only for a day of stay or two in Lucena. That was a good sign.
“That means they accepted my challenge, so they came determined to finish the job, and we from Abra were glad for their valiant efforts,” beamed Bernos.
Game 3 was marked by fierce exchange of baskets and though the Weavers trailed, Garcia and his wards refused to be intimidated as they willed their way to reach the Promised Land.
"The boys keep on coming back. Ayaw talaga nilang magpatalo. This is the character I want for the team and Abra, yong ayaw patalo,” said Bernos.
After losing to Pasay, 70-60, the Weavers went on a rampage, including a 2-0 sweep of Ilagan Isabela in the quarterfinal round, a 2-0 sweep of Caloocan in the semifinals, and a 3-0 sweep of Pangasinan in the North Finals.
Having whetted his winning appetite, expect Bernos and his Weavers to weave their magic wand again for another great ride – one that will make Abra Solid North a standard for excellence.
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