Struggling to find his rhythm early on, Dave Ildefonso came through when it mattered most, lifting Abra Solid North to a thrilling 59-58 victory over San Juan on Saturday in Game 1 of the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season North Division Finals at the Gov. Andres Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Bangued, Abra.
Showing why he is the reigning MVP, Ildefonso followed up his own miss with 15.4 seconds remaining to give the defending champion Abra Weavers a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Ildefonso struggled to find his mark for most of the contest, finishing with just seven points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
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San Juan still had a chance to steal the game, but Harold Alarcon missed a jumper before the final buzzer.
Mike Calisaan had earlier put the Knights ahead with 23 seconds left after cutting through the middle and finding an opening.
Abra appeared headed for a comfortable victory after building a 56-49 advantage. However, San Juan refused to go down without a fight, scoring nine unanswered points, capped by Calisaan’s go-ahead basket.
DJ Fenner and Encho Serrano paced the Weavers with 11 points apiece, while Drex Delos Reyes chipped in eight.
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San Juan, meanwhile, drew 12 points from Calisaan, 11 each from Royce Alforque and Alarcon, and 10 from Reynel Hugnatan.
JD Cagulangan, the 2025 KBK (Korean Basketball League) Rookie of the Year who had been sidelined by a torn left ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), made his MPBL debut with 7:08 remaining in the second quarter.
Alarcon caught fire in the second period, scoring eight points in a 10-point San Juan run that gave the Knights a 31-26 lead.
Given an expanded role due to the absence of injured Terrence Fortea and Orlan Wamar, who was dealing with a sprain, Alarcon finished the first half with 10 points. Veteran Hugnatan added eight, highlighted by two open three-pointers.
Game 2 of the best-of-five series is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the same venue, with Abra looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead and San Juan aiming to even the series.
