ABRA Solid North and Batangas dominated their rivals and shared the lead in Group A of the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Marikina Sports Center.
The Abra Weavers cruised past the Quezon City Black Bulls, 88-73, while the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters dumped Bacolod Masskara, 106-49, for their fourth straight win in the two-group, 18-team event preceding the MPBL Eighth Season.
With the outcome beyond doubt, 81-59, midway through the fourth quarter, Abra had the luxury of fielding its third stringers to wrap up the wire-to-wire triumph.
Ryan Batino posted 16 points and 8 rebounds for the defending champion Weavers, followed by reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, prized recruit Tucker Molina with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, and Encho Serrano with 12 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
Quezon City, which rallied from as far as 42-70, drew 16 points and 2 rebounds from Kenz Rei Diokno, 15 points from Pat Buena, 8 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists from MJ Joson, and 6 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals from Germy Mahinay.
Batangas’ Jhan Nermal tallied 18 points and 7 rebounds, but it was Abdul Sawat who was named best player after a 17-point, 2-assist output in just 12 minutes and 49 seconds of play.
Other Rum Masters who delivered were Cedrick Ablaza with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists, Ino Comboy with 12 points, 7 assists and 2 blocks, and Jeckster Apinan with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Bacolod suffered its second straight lopsided loss as only Reil Cervantes and Algin Andaya managed double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
The Rum Masters clobbered the Bacolodnons off the boards, 46-19, which they translated into more points in the paint, 64-22.
Batangas converted 43 of 70 field goal attempts, including 9 of 23 from long distance, for a high 61.4 percent, while Bacolod canned 17 of 46 tries for 46.2 percent.
Ilagan Isabela prevailed over Marikina, 99-95, via overtime in the nightcap to snap a two-game skid.
The Ilagan Isabela Five Star Cowboys, powered by Jayboy Solis and JP Cauilan, had a 10-1 run in the last 2 minutes and 22 seconds of the extension period to hand the Shoemasters their fourth straight loss.
Marikina wasted an 86-79 lead and was dragged into overtime at 87-87 on two charities by Solis, who tallied 16 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Cauilan was named best player with 19 points and 9 rebounds, edging Donald Gumaru, with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Arth Dela Cruz contributed 13 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Preseason continues with games pitting Gensan against Bataan at 3 p.m., the Junior MPBL D-League Selection against Ilagan Isabela at 5 p.m., and Quezon City against Binan Tatak Gel at 7 p.m.
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