Abra Solid North shattered Nueva Ecija’s aura of invincibility with an emphatic 82-71 victory on Saturday, joining their victims at the top of the Manny Pacquiao Presents 1xBet–MPBL 2025 Season standings at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Dave Ildefonso delivered another stellar performance, tallying 25 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and two assists to lead the Weavers, who matched the Rice Vanguards’ 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The 6-foot-4 do-it-all Ildefonso earned Best Player of the Game honors over teammate Marwin Taywan, who finished with 17 points—including eight in the fourth quarter—five assists, three steals, and two rebounds to help secure Abra’s 15th consecutive win.
Other key contributors for the Weavers included Encho Serrano with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists; Ryan Batino with eight points and six rebounds; and Raven Gonzales with eight points and two boards.
Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL champions, fell behind by as many as 21 points, 36–57, and never recovered despite solid outings from Robby Celiz, who registered 18 points, five rebounds, and two blocks, and Jaycee Marcelino, who chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, and two steals.
The Rice Vanguards also got solid numbers from Jayvee Marcelino, who had nine points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Christian Manaytay contributed eight points, five rebounds, and two assists.
In the day’s opening game, San Juan dominated Quezon City Galeries, 92–68, to claim solo third place. The Knights surged ahead with a commanding 66–38 lead and never looked back, securing their ninth straight victory and improving to 17–1.
Dexter Maiquez led the charge with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists en route to Best Player honors. He got ample support from AC Soberano (11 points, four rebounds), Nikko Panganiban (11 points), and Reynel Hugnatan (10 points, five rebounds).
The Taipans slipped to 5–14 despite the efforts of John Edcel Rojas (14 points, seven rebounds, two assists), Dave Bernabe (11 points, 10 rebounds), and Regie Tauto-An (10 points, four rebounds).
Meanwhile, Rizal Xentromall outlasted Pasig, 94–88, to climb to 12–7. Eric Camson powered Rizal with 26 points and seven rebounds, while Michael Canete added 18 points and seven boards. Robin Nayve contributed 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists, and Samboy de Leon chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Pasig dropped to 7–11 despite a 23-point outing from Warlo James Batac, who also had six rebounds and two assists. Mark Montuano posted a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while John Felix Corpus added 11 points and two boards.
The MPBL heads to the Bataan People’s Center in Balanga on Monday, with Bulacan facing Caloocan at 4 p.m., Manila meeting Basilan at 6 p.m., and host Bataan taking on Mindoro at 8 p.m.
