Defending champion Abra and Biñan scored contrasting victories on Friday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season at the Pasay Astrodome.
The Abra Solid North Weavers cruised to a dominant 119-70 victory over Basilan Steel, while Biñan Tatak Gel rallied late to edge the Pasay Voyagers, 77-74, in the nightcap of the league’s triple-header during the round-robin elimination phase.
Abra notched its 10th straight win and improved to 12-1 in the North Division, moving within striking distance of league-leading Caloocan (13-1). Fourteen Weavers scored in the blowout, led by reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso.
Ildefonso finished with 23 points, five rebounds, and five assists to lead the defending champions. DJ Fenner added 17 points, highlighted by four three-pointers, along with two rebounds.
Mike Ayonayon chipped in 11 points and four assists, while homegrown forward Rodel Fabro contributed 10 points and four rebounds.
Basilan slipped to 7-8, with only John Wilson and Mark Montuano reaching double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
(C) MPBL
In the nightcap, Biñan erased a 71-66 deficit with 2:11 remaining by unleashing an 11-point run, sparked by five points from Nic Cabanero and four from Kenny Roger Rocacurva. The comeback victory extended Biñan’s winning streak to nine games as it improved to 11-3 in the South Division.
Cabanero starred with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Warren Bonifacio added 13 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Rocacurva contributed 10 points and nine rebounds.
Pasay dropped to 8-7 despite 13 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals from Christian Fajarito, while Lenard Santiago finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.
In the opening game, the Valenzuela City Darkhorse defeated the Meycauayan Marilao Gems, 85-81, to improve to 8-7.
Shaquille Alanes paced Valenzuela with 20 points, including 16 in the third quarter, along with four assists and two rebounds. Angelo Obuyes provided a strong finishing kick with 15 points, 12 of which came in the fourth quarter, while Ian Melencio tallied 12 points—10 in the final period—along with seven rebounds and four assists.
Carl Alattica added 13 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Jay Collado contributed 12 points and seven rebounds.
Meycauayan Marilao fell to 8-6 despite balanced scoring from Jayson Apolonio, who had 19 points, eight rebounds, and two assists; Jimboy Pasturan, who posted 17 points, six assists, and four rebounds; and Agem Miranda, who recorded 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
The tournament resumes on Saturday at the Olivarez College Gym in Parañaque, with Pasig facing Gensan at 4 p.m., Zamboanga taking on Bacolod at 6 p.m., and Manila meeting Imus at 8 p.m.
