Abra Solid North weathered a late Biñan rally to escape with a 63-53 victory on Saturday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna, strengthening its grip on the top spot in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season.
DJ Fenner sparked a decisive seven-point burst over the final five minutes, helping the Abra Weavers turn a slim lead into a comfortable 60-51 advantage and secure their 18th win in 19 games in the round-robin elimination phase of the 26-team tournament.
The defending champions stretched their winning streak to 16 games. They also remain atop the North Division standings ahead of Caloocan (18-2), San Juan (16-2), and Ilagan Isabela (14-7).
Biñan threatened after Renzo Subido knocked down a three-pointer to trim the deficit to 51-49, but reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso answered with a triple of his own to restore a five-point cushion.
Marc Pingris scored inside to pull Biñan within 54-51, but Fenner responded with a jumper before Shaun Ildefonso added a basket. Fenner then buried another mid-range shot with 3:41 remaining to cap the game-clinching run, sending Biñan to a 16-4 record, good for third place in the South Division behind Batangas (15-3) and Quezon Province (14-2).
Dave Ildefonso finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Fenner tallied 14 points and seven rebounds. Jake Figueroa added 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Raven Gonzales also made his presence felt with five points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, including two crucial rejections on Pingris as Abra limited Biñan to just two points in the closing stretch.
Biñan, whose 13-game winning streak came to an end, was led by Nic Cabanero with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Kenny Rocacurva contributed eight points, nine rebounds, and two steals, while Michael Mabulac chipped in eight points and three rebounds.
Earlier, the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys recovered from a slow start to defeat the Negros Hacienderos, 101-89. Then the Meycauayan Marilao Gems downed the Parañaque Patriots, 91-80.
The Gems improved to 11-9 behind Jimboy Pasturan’s 22 points, highlighted by six three-pointers, along with 22 rebounds. Agem Miranda added 16 points, nine assists, and four rebounds, while Jayson Apolonio contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.
Parañaque dropped to 2-21 despite 25 points, nine rebounds, and two assists from Dom Matillano. Marlon Monte added 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while James Mangahas finished with 16 points and two rebounds.
After trailing 18-11 in the opening quarter, the Cowboys leaned on Arth Dela Cruz and Kyle Paranada to seize a 48-36 halftime lead before pulling away for their 13th win against seven losses.
Dela Cruz, who already had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds by halftime, finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and four assists. Allen Mina added 17 points, including the Cowboys’ final seven, along with eight assists and three rebounds.
TJ Felebrico chipped in 12 points and three rebounds, while Jayboy Solis contributed 10 points and eight rebounds for Ilagan Isabela.
The Cowboys were highly efficient from the free-throw line, converting 26 of 29 attempts (89.7-percent), while the Hacienderos made just 8 of 16 (50-percent).
Negros, which slipped to 1-18, was paced by Michael Alvarez with 26 points and seven rebounds. Flever Dignadice added 17 points, three assists, and two steals, while Flever Dignadice contributed 15 points and six rebounds.
The tournament resumes on Monday at the Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology Gym, with Mindoro facing Bulacan at 3:00 PM, Cebu taking on Quezon at 5:00 PM, and Quezon City meeting Gensan at 7:00 PM.
