The Abra Solid North Weavers cruised to the North Division finals, while the San Juan Knights get back on track on Friday in the MPBL 2025 Season at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Asserting its superiority, Abra repeated over the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 74-62, in the opener to sweep their semifinal series and extend its league record to 30 straight victories.
The Knights exacted revenge over the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 83-66, in the second game to level their series at 1-1 and force sudden death for the right to meet the Weavers in the best-of-five North Finals.
Their ego bruised by the Heatwaves’ 67-57 victory in Game One, the Knights stormed ahead after three quarters, 69-36, and were never threatened to gain momentum in the decider set at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, at the Flying V FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Atoning for his so-so outing in Game One, Orlan Wamar tallied 24 points, laced by four triples, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the Knights. JC Cullar contributed 12 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while AC Soberano, Dexter Maiquez, Arvin Gamboa and Nikko Panganiban supported with 9 points each.
Pangasinan got 11 points from Alyn Bulanadi and 10 each from JP Maguliano and Michael Mabulac.
Unlike their 80-54 blowout victory in Game One, the Weavers have to exert effort in warding off the challenge of Batang Kankaloo.
Fil-Am Jason Brickman, a two-time US NCAA Division assist leader, posted 18 points, spiked by four triples, 5 assists and 3 rebounds to clinch best player honors over Danny Ildefonso, who notched 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and Encho Serrano with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
