The Abra Solid North Weavers shattered the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards’ myth of invincibility with an 82-71 victory on Saturday, joining their victims at the top of Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City.
Dave Ildefonso shone again with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 assists as Abra matched Nueva Ecija’s 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The 6-foot-4, do-it-all Ildefonso clinched best player honors over Marwin Taywan, who posted 17 points, including 8 in the fourth quarter, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 rebounds in the Weavers’ 15th straight win.
Other Weavers who delivered were Encho Serrano with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Ryan Batino with 8 points and 6 rebounds, and Raven Gonzales with 8 points and 2 rebounds.
In other games, the San Juan Knights trounced the Quezon City Galeries Taipans, 92-68, in the opener for the third spot, while Rizal Xentromall beat Pasig, 94-88, and climbed to 12-7.
Led by Dexter Maiquez, the Knights led as far as 66-38 and cruised to their ninth straight win for a 17-1 slate.
Maiquez notched 20 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists to earn best player honors over AC Soberano with 11 points and 4 rebounds, Nikko Panganiban with 11 points, and Reynel Hugnatan with 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Eric Camson led Rizal with 26 points and 7 rebounds, followed by Robin Nayve with 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Michael Canete with 18 points and 7 rebounds, and Samboy De Leon with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
