San Juan outlasted Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 82-78, in overtime on Wednesday to advance to the North Division Finals of the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal Province.
The defending champion Abra Solid North Weavers, meanwhile, secured their place in the Finals earlier in the day by sweeping the Pasay Voyagers, 77-69, to complete their semifinal series victory.
Michael Calisaan delivered six points in overtime, while James Kwekuteye and Royce Alforque also came through in the extra period as the San Juan Knights repeated their 73-71 overtime victory over Caloocan on October 24 to sweep their best-of-three semifinal series.
Alforque scored on a follow-up, and after Kymani Ladi knocked down a triple to pull Caloocan within 78-79, Kwekuteye stripped Jeff Manday of the ball before blocking Kean Baclaan’s drive in the final two seconds to seal the victory.
Caloocan forced overtime after Dom Escobar, who missed his first free throw with 2.6 seconds remaining in regulation, intentionally missed his second attempt, grabbed the rebound, and sank a jumper to tie the game at 70-all.
Harold Alarcon, whose jumper with 6.8 seconds left gave San Juan a 70-68 lead, was named the SportsPlus Best Player after finishing with six points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
AC Soberano led the 2019 MPBL champions with 15 points, followed by Calisaan with 13 points and six rebounds. Dexter Maiquez added 10 points, while Kwekuteye contributed eight points, six rebounds, and three steals.
Alarcon said the Knights need to raise their level of play in the Finals, where they will face the formidable and intact Weavers.
San Juan could be without Terrence Fortea, who was stretchered off the court with a suspected knee injury, for the best-of-five series. Team captain Orlan Wamar is also being monitored after suffering a sprain.
Caloocan drew 21 points, seven rebounds, and two assists from Ladi, while Chris Bitoon contributed 17 points and four assists, along with two rebounds and two steals. Baclaan added 15 points, five assists, and three rebounds, while Jeff Manday finished with nine points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
(C) MPBL
Meanwhile, reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso delivered another clutch performance, scoring seven of Abra’s final eight points, highlighted by a one-handed slam, to foil Pasay’s late rally.
Abra defeated Pasay, 81-71, in Game One.
Ildefonso posted 23 points, eight rebounds, and three steals to earn Best Player honors for the second consecutive game.
Fil-Am DJ Fenner chipped in 12 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Tucker Molina added 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Jake Figueroa contributed nine points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Pasay, which trimmed the deficit to 67-69 with three minutes and 33 seconds remaining, received 12 points and four rebounds from Christian Fajarito. Kriss Gurtiza, Lennard Santiago, and Edmund Dela Cruz added 11 points apiece.
Taking advantage of their size, the Weavers dominated the boards, 45-28, and built a lead of as many as 14 points at 62-48 as they continued their push for a second consecutive North Division crown.
Abra swept Pangasinan, 3-0, in the 2025 North Division Finals before the Heatwaves took a leave of absence this season.
Powered by Molina, the Weavers opened the second quarter with a 10-point run to pull away for good, building a 33-23 advantage.
