Caloocan keeps in step with Abra as MPBL set for All-Star game
MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan needed just one scoring spurt to subdue Pasig City, 96-87, on Thursday and keep in step with the Abra Solid North in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
With Kymani Ladi bundling 10 points, the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo dropped an 18-point bomb bridging the second and third quarters and pulled away, 53-33, to stay in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.
The Batang Kankaloo caught up with the San Juan Knights at 18-3 and trail the Abra Weavers, who bested the Quezon City Black Bulls, 79-71, in the first game, in the jostling for top-four placings in the quarterfinal playoffs of the North Division.
The 6-foot-8 Ladi finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks, and was named Best Player over Jeff Manday, who tallied 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Rommel Calahat, Dom Escobar and Jammer Jamito supported with eight points each for Caloocan.
Pasig skidded to 10-11 despite Jerald Bautista's 18 points, three rebounds and two assists; Jerome Garcia's 17 points and five rebounds; Jacob Galicia's 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks; and Keith Pido's 10 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Meycauayan trounces Bulacan
The Meycauayan Marilao Gems thwarted the Bulacan Kuyas, 91-80, in the second game to improve to 13-10 and move closer to Ilagan Isabela (13-9) in the North Division.
Jayson Apolonio sparkled for the Gems with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, followed by MJ Dela Virgen, with 16 points and three assists, and Agem Miranda, with 15 points, three assists and two steals.
Homegrown-laden Bulacan tumbled to 5-10 despite Benedict Benedictos 16 points, Vince Artrei Sarmiento's 13, Jeremy Cruz's 12 and Jonathan Medina's 10.
Abra nails 19th straight win
With all 12 Weavers fielded scoring, Abra tallied its 19th straight win and climbed to 21-1, signifying its readiness to defend its North Division and MPBL national titles.
Dave Ildefonso posted 18 points and Raven Gonzales 12 to lead Abra to the wire-to-wire victory. Encho Serrano scored nine points, and Ryan Batino and John Uduba seven each.
Quezon City skidded to 9-12 as only MJ Joson found his mark with 13 points.
MPBL All-Star festivities set at Ynares Center Montalban
The 2026 SportsPlus MPBL All-Star festivities will be held on Saturday, featuring the battle between the North division standouts and the South division selection at 8:30 p.m., at the Ynares Center Montalban, Rizal.
Gonzales, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Ildefonso, the reigning MVP, will start for the North alongside Kymani Ladi of Caloocan, Warlo Batac of Pasig, and Orlan Wamar of San Juan.
The South starters are Ced Manzano of Quezon Province, Mark Meneses of Cebu, Jhan Nermal of Batangas City, Nic Cabanero of Binan, and Hesed Gabo of Gensan.
Also on tap are the 2 p.m. exhibition game between the executives of both the North and South divisions; the 3-point shootout at 3:45 p.m.; the slam dunk contest at 5:25 p.m.; and the 7 p.m. 1 versus 1 competition at 7 p.m. (Pool story)
- Latest
- Trending
