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Abra Solid North cruises past Quezon, clinches MPBL preseason title


Abra Solid North extended its dominant run in the MPBL with a commanding 67-47 victory over the Quezon Huskers on Saturday, capturing the 2026 Preseason Invitational at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Weavers went full throttle in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points while limiting the Huskers to just five, effectively tearing the game apart and reinforcing their title-defense ambitions for the upcoming MPBL Eighth Season.

Raven Gonzales led the charge with 14 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and a block, while Dave Ildefonso, who contributed 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block, was named tournament MVP.

Other key contributors included Tucker Molina with nine points, Mike Ayonayon and John Uduba with eight each, and Encho Serrano with six.

Trailing 53-45, the Weavers went on an eight-point run, highlighted by a breakaway one-handed dunk from Ildefonso, to pull away with 4:45 remaining in the game.

For the Huskers, Cedrick Manzano posted 12 points and 16 rebounds, Michael Canete added 12 points and four rebounds, and Will McAloney chipped in nine points and three boards.

Earlier in the game, Abra took a 28-24 lead after Uduba scored four points and Serrano hit a triple, before Canete responded with a bank shot to close out the first half.

MPBL Commissioner Emmer Oreta awarded the championship trophy to the Weavers, led by team owners Representatives JB and Ching Bernos, head coach Yong Garcia, and team manager Chris Conwi.

Beforehand, Oreta also presented the championship rings to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, winners of the 2024 National Finals, led by two-time MPBL MVP Justine Baltazar, coach Vice Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda, and team owner AG Gonzales III.

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With this win, the Weavers extended their record to 46 victories, including an eight-game sweep of the Group A round-robin elimination phase and a 76-72 semifinal win over the San Juan Knights on Thursday. Their last loss came against the Pasay Voyagers, 70-60, on March 19, 2025.

The regular MPBL Eighth Season is set to tip off on April 10, with North Division games at the Caloocan Sports Complex and South Division games at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

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