Abra Solid North tightened its grip on the top spot in the MPBL 2026 Season after dismantling Pasig City, 130-76, on Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal.
Behind reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso, the defending champion Weavers raced to a commanding 44-14 lead after the opening quarter and never looked back, extending their winning streak to 15 games while improving to 17-1 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 27-team tournament.
Ildefonso delivered another all-around performance, finishing with a triple-double of 17 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds, along with five steals. Tucker Molina added 18 points and two rebounds.
“We wanted to prove that we’re still the team to beat,” said Ildefonso, who added that he approached the Pasig matchup as “just another game.”
The Weavers were deadly from beyond the arc, with Ildefonso knocking down five of seven attempts and Molina hitting three of four. Abra shot 16-of-32 (50 percent) from three-point range, while Pasig managed just 6-of-21 (28.6 percent).
Shaun Ildefonso posted a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds, Jake Figueroa contributed 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds, while Drex Delos Reyes and Redel Fabro chipped in 10 points apiece.
Abra also dominated the boards, 50-38, translating that advantage into a 68-38 edge in points in the paint.
Pasig fell to 10-9, tying the Meycauayan Marilao Gems for sixth place in the North Division.
Jacob Galicia led the Pasiguenos with 19 points and 12 rebounds, Jerome Garcia added 13 points, while Warlo Batac registered 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Jhapz Bautista also scored 10 points.
In the nightcap, the Rizal XentroMall Golden Coolers boosted their playoff hopes with an 81-71 victory over the Gensan Warriors to improve to 12-7.
Laurenz Victoria tallied 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Jolo Mendoza matched him with 13 points and added five rebounds. JP Sarao chipped in nine points and four rebounds, while Billy Robles posted eight points, 11 rebounds, and three assists as Rizal controlled the contest for most of the game.
Gensan absorbed its second straight defeat and slipped to 14-4, remaining fourth in the South Division behind Quezon Province (13-2), Biñan Tatak Gel (15-3), and Batangas City (15-3).
Mark Cruz paced the Warriors with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Marwin Dionisio finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
The game was halted with 2:41 remaining to recognize Hesed Gabo, who became the first player in MPBL history to reach the 1,000-assist milestone. Commissioner Emmer Oreta presented Gabo with the game ball commemorating the achievement.
Earlier, the Quezon City Black Bulls showcased their offensive firepower in a 120-87 rout of the Negros Hacienderos.
Six Black Bulls scored in double figures as Quezon City led by as many as 41 points, 111-70, en route to improving to 9-10.
Ryan Costelo led the way with 22 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while MJ Joson recorded a triple-double of 17 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds, along with three steals.
The 5-foot-11 guard out of Manila Central University spearheaded Quezon City’s balanced attack, which also featured Kobe Monje with 13 points, six assists, and four rebounds; Val Chauca with 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals; Carmel Espinosa with 11 points and nine rebounds; and Jessie Sumoda with 14 points and six rebounds.
Negros dropped to 1-17 despite 25 points, three rebounds, and three assists from Michal Alvarez and 23 points, three rebounds, and two assists from Reymar Caduyac.
The tournament resumes Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, highlighted by the marquee showdown between South Division leader Quezon Province (13-2) and North Division contender San Juan (15-1) at 7 p.m.
The game will also serve as Gerry Abadiano’s farewell appearance for San Juan before he joins Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus in the Korean Basketball League. Center Mike Phillips has also departed the team to pursue an opportunity in Japan’s B.League.
The day’s other matchups feature Basilan against Manila at 3 p.m. and Cebu taking on Marikina at 5 p.m.
