The Abra Solid North Weavers were tested before edging the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Thursday to extend their winning streak in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Dave Ildefonso once again came through in the clutch, scoring seven of Abra’s final nine points, including two free throws with 11.5 seconds left, to secure the defending champions’ 16th straight victory and improve their record to 18-1 in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
Bataan had a chance to force overtime, but Migs Corteza missed a long corner jumper with 6.6 seconds remaining. Abra’s Mike Ayonayon grabbed the rebound to preserve the Weavers’ lead in the North division over the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo and San Juan Knights, both at 17-2.
Showing why he is the reigning MVP, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals. He also earned his fourth straight Best Player award.
“I always strive to stay in shape, stay ready,” said Ildefonso, who played all but 44 seconds of the game as DJ Fenner and Tucker Molina were both unavailable. “Hats off to Bataan. They gave us a run for our money.”
Ayonayon added 15 points, including nine straight that gave Abra its biggest lead at 58-44 after the third quarter.
Raven Gonzales contributed eight points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, while Shaun Ildefonso had five points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Bataan, which dropped to 8-12, was led by Hubert Cani with 19 points, including five three-pointers. Yves Sazon added 10 points, while Chris Javier and Corteza scored nine apiece.
In the nightcap, Jervy Cruz sank two free throws with 12.6 seconds remaining to lift the Basilan Steel past Paranaque, 75-74.
Paranaque’s James Mangahas managed to get off a shot before the final buzzer but missed, allowing Basilan to escape with the victory and improve to 11-11 for eighth place in the South division.
Gab Cometa had given Basilan a 73-68 lead, but Paranaque responded with a six-point run, highlighted by four points from Marlon Monte, to take a 74-73 lead with 36.2 seconds left.
Cruz then came through for Basilan, knocking down the go-ahead free throws to secure the win.
Veteran John Wilson led Basilan with 15 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Byron Villarias with 13 points and three rebounds, Mark Montuano with 10 points and eight rebounds, and Cruz with 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists.
Paranaque drew 24 points and 13 rebounds from Jomar Santos, while Monte finished with 22 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
In the opener, the Bulacan Kuyas scored eight points in overtime to beat Pasig City, 110-105.
Pasig held a 97-96 lead before Bulacan took control behind a free throw from Marj De Leon and four free throws from Joshua Moralejo, sandwiching a three-pointer by Benedict Benedictos to give the Kuyas a 104-97 advantage with 1:10 remaining in overtime.
The victory improved Bulacan’s record to 5-15, good for 11th place and just outside the play-in spots in the North division.
Jeremy Cruz, a 6-foot-3 find from Baliwag, led the Kuyas with 18 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks to earn Best Player honors. Calumpit’s Mico Dizon added 22 points and nine rebounds.
Jonathan Medina contributed 17 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while De Leon had 14 points and six rebounds. Moralejo, from San Jose del Monte, added 11 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds.
Pasig forced overtime when John Felix Corpuz tied the game at 93 with 53.2 seconds left in regulation. Bulacan missed two field-goal attempts in the final seconds, sending the game into overtime.
Pasig fell to 8-10 despite a monster performance from Jacob Galicia, who had 36 points, 18 rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Jerome Garcia added 22 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Warlo Batac had 13 points, 16 rebounds, and eight assists. Jhapz Bautista chipped in 12 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
The tournament moves to The Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela, on Saturday, with Rizal XentroMall facing Pasay at 5 p.m. and Meycauayan Marilao taking on Ilagan Isabela at 7 p.m.
