Binan Tatak Gel stunned San Juan, 71-64, in the nightcap on Saturday to share the spotlight with streaking Abra Solid North and rising Rizal Province in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna.
The Abra Weavers battered the Valenzuela City Darkhorse, 106-70, in the opener to tally their 18th straight victory and improve to 20-1, while the Rizal Golden Coolers defeated the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 77-72, in the second game for their fourth consecutive win and a 14-7 record.
With the game tied at 56, Nic Cabanero drilled a triple to spark a 9-3 run in the homestretch, putting Binan ahead, 66-59, en route to its 18th win against four losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
Binan ranks third in the South Division, behind Batangas City (16-3) and Quezon Province (14-3).
Cabanero, a former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers star, finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks to earn Best Player honors. He was followed by Kenny Rocacurva, who had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Warren Bonifacio, who added 10 points and seven rebounds.
San Juan, which was held scoreless in the final minute, dropped to 17-3 and remained tied for second with the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the North Division, behind Abra. Ilagan Isabela stayed in fourth place at 13-9.
The Knights drew 17 points and 13 rebounds from Mike Calisaan, 13 points and six rebounds from James Kwekuteye, and 11 points and seven rebounds from Harold Alarcon.
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Abra, which scored the first 12 points of the game and led by as many as 41 points at 105-64, secured a top-four finish and homecourt advantage in the quarterfinal playoffs.
Raven Gonzales anchored the Weavers’ defense with eight rebounds and two blocks to go with nine points in just 20 minutes of action.
Encho Serrano paced Abra with 22 points and two assists, followed by Mike Ayonayon with 15 points, six assists, and three rebounds, Tucker Molina with 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and John Uduba with 12 points and three rebounds.
Molina, who delighted the crowd with a follow-up dunk in the fourth quarter, was named Best Player, edging Serrano and Ayonayon.
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Jolo Mendoza delivered in the clutch for Rizal, drilling a triple before driving to give the Golden Coolers a 76-69 lead with 26.5 seconds remaining.
The former national youth team member finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Billy Robles added 10 points and 13 rebounds, Mark Yee had 11 points and five rebounds, and Joel Lee Yu contributed 11 points, four assists, and two rebounds for the Golden Coolers, who are sixth in the South Division.
The Cowboys were led by MJ Ayaay with 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Arth Dela Cruz added 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Robby Celiz chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.
The tournament returns to the Orion Sports Complex on Monday, featuring Imus against Quezon City at 3 p.m., Mindoro against Negros at 5 p.m., and Zamboanga against host Bataan at 7 p.m.
