The Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71, on Thursday and extending their hot run in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Dave Ildefonso again bailed out the Weavers, scoring seven of their last nine points, including two charities with 11.5 seconds left, that secured the defending champions’ 16th straight win and 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
Bataan had a chance to force overtime, but Migs Corteza missed his long corner jumper with 6.6 seconds left, and Abra’s Mike Ayonayon snared the rebound to preserve the Weavers’ lead in the North division over Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (17-2) and the San Juan Knights (17-2).
In other games, Jervy Cruz converted two free throws with 12.6 seconds left to lift Basilan Steel past Paranaque, 75-74, while The Bulacan Kuyas bunched eight points in overtime to beat Pasig City, 110-105, in the opener.
Showing why he’s the reigning MVP, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals to garner his fourth straight SportsPlus best player honors.
Ayonayon also shone with 15 points, including 9 straight that pushed Abra to its biggest spread, 58-44, after the third quarter.
Raven Gonzales supported with 8 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks, followed by Shaun Ildefonso with 45 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Bataan, which fell to 8-12, got 19 points, spiked with five triples, from Hubert Cani, 10 points from Yves Sazon, and 9 each from Chris Javier and Corteza.
