Abra Solid North and Quezon Province survived tense finishes on Thursday to set up a title clash in the 2026 MPBL Preseason Invitational at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.
The Abra Weavers leaned on clutch free throws from Encho Serrano and Mike Ayonayon in the final seconds to edge the San Juan Knights, 76-72, while the Quezon Huskers rallied in the last two minutes to defeat the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, 76-69, in the earlier matchup.
Abra, the reigning MPBL national champion, and Quezon, the back-to-back South Division king, will face off for the crown at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga. The two teams last met in the 2025 MPBL National Finals, where Abra completed a 3-0 sweep over Quezon.
Serrano led the Weavers with 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists, outshining Dave Idefonso, who had 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Raven Gonzales added 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Tucker Molina chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, and two assists, helping Abra secure their ninth straight win in the two-group, 18-team tournament.
San Juan threatened late at 72-74 with four straight points by Michael Calisaan and a drive by Patrick Sleat, but the Knights faltered as Orlan Wamar turned the ball over and missed a crucial drive.
Sleat finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, followed by Calisaan and Harold Alarcon with 13 points apiece.
Quezon trailed 68-69 in the closing minutes but surged ahead on back-to-back baskets from Cedrick Manzano, with support from Jolo Manansala and Cyrus Tabi, to hold off the Rum Masters.
Judel Fuentes paced Quezon with 15 points and four assists, narrowly outdueling Michael Canete, who had 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Manzano finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Tabi contributed 10 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Batangas relied on 23 points from Wendelino Comboy but saw him limited to a single triple in the fourth quarter.
Ced Ablaza added 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists, and Abdul Sawat chipped in 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
