Abra destroys Bacolod by 84 points in most lopsided MPBL win
MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion Abra Solid North clobbered Bacolod, 129-45, on Monday for the all-time biggest victory margin in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.
Powered by Dave Ildefonso's career-high 40 points and six others in double figures, the Abra Weavers pounded the Bacolod Maskarras throughout to win by 84 points, eclipsing the San Juan Knights' 82-point blowout of the Mindoro Tamaraws (146-64) on Sept. 13, 2022, and raising their pacesetting record to 15-1 in the round-robin elimination phase.
Ildefonso, the reigning MVP, also tallied eight rebounds, five assists and four steals to capture Best Player honors over Raven Gonzales, with 19 points, 20 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
"We're really trying to prove that we're the team to beat," said Ildefonso, adding that the win is more important than his output.
Abra, which displaced San Juan (14-1) at the top spot, also drew 13 points, seven assists and two rebounds from Nico Elorde; 13 points, six rebounds and three assists from Alfred Batino; and 10 points each from Tucker Molina, Josh Asuncion and John Figueroa.
Exploiting their huge 65-36 edge in rebounds, the Weavers scored more points in the paint (70-10), second chances (19-2), and fast breaks (38-4) to hold the Maskarras to the season's lowest score and a 3-18 slate.
Bacolod got 12 points from Desmond Price; 11 from Emman Galman; and 10 plus 12 rebounds from Rafael Go.
Ilagan Isabela subdues Marikina
The Ilagan Isabela Cowboys followed suit with a 97-85 thumping of the Marikina Shoemasters in the nightcap, climbing to 12-6 and tightening their hold of the fourth spot in the North Division.
JP Cauilan paced the Cowboys with 16 points and four rebounds, followed by Allen Mina with 14 points, two rebounds and two assists; and Arth Dela Cruz with 13 points, five assists and three rebounds.
Alex Cabagnot provided support with 11 points, seven assists and four rebounds; and so did Robby Celiz, with 10 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
The Cowboys surged ahead, 13-4, and never yielded control to close in on the Abra Weavers (15-1), the San Juan Knights (14-1) and the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (16-2).
Marikina, which slid to 7-124 points, drew 15 points and five rebounds from Jeepy Faundo; 14 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists from Regie Boy Basibas, and 14 points, four assists and two rebounds from John Jordan Sta. Ana.
Valenzuela batters Imus
The Valenzuela Darkhorse battered the Imus Yangkees, 129-97, in the opener to check their skid and rev up their playoff drive in the North Division.
With six players, headed by Geremy Robinson Jr., in double figures, the Darkhorse led as far as 127-95 in rebounding from three frustrating losses and raising their record to 9-10.
The 6-foot-2 Robinson came within sight of a triple-double with 22 points, spiked by four triples, nine rebounds, nine assists, three steals and three blocks to capture Best Player honors over veteran Jay Collado, with 20 points, four rebounds and four assists.
"We just wanted to come back today and come back strong," said Robinson, a former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tiger. "That's why my attitude was just to attack and keep pushing myself."
Other Darkhorses who hit their stride were JR Olegario with 13 points, five assists and three rebounds; Justin Alano with 13 points and five rebounds; homegrown Nick Baluyot with 11 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals; and Nico Mamaradlo with 11 points and seven rebounds.
In their last three games against Marikina, Batangas, and Pasig, respectively, Valenzuela was ahead for most of the time, only to falter in the last quarter.
Imus tumbled to 2-16 despite JM Marquez's 28 points and seven rebounds, and Paul Christian Ferrer's 12 points and three rebounds.
The tournament returns to the Orion Sports Complex on Tuesday, featuring games between Basilan and Sarangani at 4 p.m.; Manila and Rizal at 6 p.m.; and Bataan and Paranaque at 8 p.m. (Pool story)
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