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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Abra escapes Bataan; Bulacan, Basilan prevail

Abra escapes Bataan; Bulacan, Basilan prevail

Published Aug 7, 2026 02:34 pm

At A Glance

  • The Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Thursday, Aug. 6, and extending their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Dave Ildefonso delivers for the Abra Solid North Weavers. (MPBL)
Dave Ildefonso delivers for the Abra Solid North Weavers. (MPBL)
The Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Thursday, Aug. 6, and extending their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Dave Ildefonso again bailed out the Weavers, scoring seven of their last nine points, including two charities with 11.5 seconds left, that secured the defending champions' 16th straight win and 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
Bataan had a chance to force overtime, but Migs Corteza missed his long corner jumper with 6.6 seconds left, and Abra's Mike Ayonayon snared the rebound to preserve the Weavers' lead in the North division over Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (17-2) and the San Juan Knights (17-2).
Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals to garner his fourth straight SportsPlus best player honors.
"I always strive to stay in shape, stay ready," said Ildefonso, who only got a 44-second respite for the game as DJ Fenner and Tucker Molina were both unavailable. "Hats off to Bataan. They gave us a run for our money."
Ayonayon also shone with 15 points, including 9 straight that pushed Abra to its biggest spread, 58-44, after the third quarter.
Raven Gonzales supported with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks, followed by Shaun Ildefonso with 45 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Bataan, which fell to 8-12, got 19 points, spiked with five triples, from Hubert Cani, 10 points from Yves Sazon, and 9 each from Chris Javier and Corteza.
Basilan nips Paranaque
Jervy Cruz converted two free throws with 12.6 seconds left to lift Basilan Steel past Paranaque, 75-74, in the nightcap.
Paranaque's James Mangahas was able to launch a shot before the final buzzer but missed, allowing Basilan to escape and level its slate at 11-11, good for the eighth spot in the South.
Gab Cometa towed Basilan ahead, 73-68, only for Paranaque to counter with a 6-point cluster, four by Marlon Monte, and seize control with 36.2 seconds to go.
But Cruz was up to the challenge and pulled Paranaque down to 2-21.
Veteran John Wilson paced Basilan with 15 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Byron Villarias with 13 points and 3 rebounds, Mark Montuano with 10 points and 8 rebounds, and Cruz with 10 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Also-ran Paranaque drew 24 points and 13 rebounds from Jomar Santos, and 22 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists from Monte.
Bulacan trips Pasig in OT
The Bulacan Kuyas bunched eight points in overtime to beat Pasig City, 110-105, in the opener.
Pasig was ahead, 97-96, until Bulacan struck behind a free throw by Marj De Leon and four charities of Joshua Moralejo that sandwiched Benedict Benedictos' triple, 104-97, with 1 minute and 10 seconds left.
The Kuyas improved to 5-15, good for 11th place and just a step short of a play-in spot in the North division.
Jeremy Cruz, a 6-foot-3 find from Baliwag, posted 18 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks to clinch the best player honors over Calumpit's Mico Dizon, who had 22 points and 9 rebounds.
Other Kuyas who delivered were Jonathan Medina, with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists, Marj De Leon, with 14 points and 6 rebounds, and San Jose Del Monte's Moralejo, with 11 points, 10 assists and 4 rebounds.
Pasig's John Felix Corpuz knotted the count at 93 with 53.2 seconds, after which Bulacan missed two field goal attempts, sending the game into extension.
Pasig skidded to 8-10 despite Jacob Galicia's 36 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, Jerome Garcia's 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, Warlo Batac's 13 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists, and Jhapz Bautista's 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
The tournament visits The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela, on Saturday, featuring games between Rizal XentroMall and Pasay at 5 p.m., and Meycauayan Marilao against Ilagan Isabela at 7 p.m.
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