Abra nips Bataan as Bulacan, Basilan triumph in MPBL

MANILA, August 7 ------ The Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71 to extend 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 the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (17-2) and the San Juan Knights (17-2).

Showing why he's the reigning MVP, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals to garner his fourth straight Best Player citation. "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 nine straight that pushed Abra to its biggest spread, 58-44, after the third quarter. Raven Gonzales supported with eight points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, followed by Shaun Ildefonso with 45 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bataan, which fell to 8-12, got 19 points, spiked with five triples, from Hubert Cani; 10 points from Yves Sazon; and nine 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 six-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 three rebounds; Mark Montuano with 10 points and eight rebounds; and Cruz with 10 points, three rebounds and two assists. Also-ran Paranaque drew 24 points and 13 rebounds from Jomar Santos; and 22 points, six rebounds and six 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 1:10 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, eight assists and three blocks to clinch Best Player honors over Calumpit's Mico Dizon, who had 22 points and nine rebounds. Other Kuyas who delivered were Jonathan Medina with 17 points, four rebounds and two assists; Marj De Leon with 14 points and six rebounds; and San Jose Del Monte's Moralejo with 11 points, 10 assists and four 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, two assists and two steals; Jerome Garcia's 22 points, six rebounds and four assists; Warlo Batac's 13 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists; and Jhapz Bautista's 12 points, six rebounds and two 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.

Source: philstar.com