Abra, Quezon tussle for MPBL supremacy
MANILA, Philippines — The Abra Solid North Weavers and the Quezon Huskers begin their battle for the national crown of the 747 Live presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, at the Gov. Andres Bernos Memorial Gym in Bangued, Abra.
Abra trounced Pangasinan, 3-0, to rule the North Division while Quezon struggled past Binan, 3-2, to retain the South Division crown.
Well-rested and unscathed in a record 33 games, the Weavers are favored over the Huskers, who went the full route in their second straight trip to the MPBL National Finals.
Last year, Quezon bested Batangas, 3-2, for the South title, only to be swept by Pampanga in the National Finals that started with a historic two games in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
The Weavers will be led by this year's MVP race pacesetter Dave Ildefonso, crack point guard Jason Brickman, gunner Encho Serrano, and twin towers Geo Chiu and Raven Gonzales.
Other key players for Abra, which reached the quarterfinal playoffs in its maiden stint last year, are Mike Ayonayon, Marwin Taywan, John Uduba, Ryan Batino and CJ Austria.
Quezon will bank on Ljay Gonzales, Gab Banal, Alfrancis Tamsi, Joseph Gabayani, Will Gozum, Vince Magbuhos, JP Sarao Christian Pagaran and Joshua Yerro.
Abra last played on November 27, when it battered Pangasinan, 99-74, to cut short the best-of-five North Finals.
On December 6, Quezon tripped Binan, 56-49, in the decider of the South Finals despite the absence of injured top scorer Judel Fuentes.
Huskers team manager Atty. Donn Kapunan said on Wednesday, Fuentes remains "questionable" for Game One, while point guard Diego Dario will be missed as he's getting married on Thursday.
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