MPBL preseason tourney: Abra outlasts Binan in OT
MANILA, Philippines — Abra Solid North endured anxious moments before nipping Binan Tatak Gel, 73-70, in overtime and regaining the solo lead in Group A of the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna on Wednesday.
John Uduba completed a three-point play in the homestretch while Dave Ildefonso canned two charities with 0.8 seconds left to seal the Abra Weavers' sixth straight win in the elimination phase of the two-group, 18-team event preceding the MPBL Eighth Season.
The Weavers moved past the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters, who battered the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins, 106-78, in the opener for a 5-0 record.
Abra, the MPBL Seventh Season national champion, trailed Binan, 68-70, with 1:07 left, following a short jumper by Michael Mabulac.
Ildefonso, the reigning league MVP, then missed a drive, but Uduba came to the rescue, grabbing the rebound, scoring on the follow-up, drawing a foul, and converting the accompanying free throw with 49.7 seconds left.
Playing for 38 minutes and 22 seconds, Ildefonso posted 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals to clinch Best Player honors over Raven Gonzales, who notched 14 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Other Weavers who delivered were Encho Serrano with 12 points and five assists; Uduba with eight points and six rebounds; and Nico Elorde with seven points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
With Abra ahead, 60-55, Pasay's Pamboy Raymundo drilled in a triple and Carlo Lastimosa recovered the loose ball after being blanked and scored on a short jumper to forge overtime at 60-60.
Led by Jhan Nermal, Batangas broke off from a 17-17 count after the first quarter to pull away at halftime, 46-31. Nermal, who had stints with Bulacan, Bacoor and Pampanga, poured in nine of his 20 points in that breakaway second quarter and went on to earn Best Player honors with 10 rebounds and two assists.
Abdul Sawat, formerly of Zamboanga SiKat, also struck for Batangas with 15 points, six rebounds and two assists; and so did Ino Comboy, formerly of Mindoro, with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Returnees Jeckster Apinan, Ced Ablaza and John Ambulodto put up solid numbers for the Rum Masters, who led by as far as 102-70.
Apinan chalked up 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals; Ablaza 12 points, five rebounds and two steals; and Ambulodto 10 points and sic rebounds, helping the Rum Masters rule the boards, 70-34, for a decisive 31-0 edge in second-chance points.
Sarangani, which fell out of playoff contention with a 0-4 slate, drew 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists from Lars Sunga; 13 points, five assists and four rebounds from Yvan Ludovice; and 11 points, four rebounds and four assists from Carl Bryan Lacap.
The GenSan Warriors found their bearing in the last five minutes to beat the Mindoro Tamaraws, 74-67, in the second game and level their record to 2-2.
Nelo Santos shone for the Warriors with 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists; followed by Hesed Gabo with 14 points and three assists; and Louie Vigil with 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The Tamaraws, who were ahead, 62-60, midway through the fourth quarter, tumbled to 2-3 despite Marion Magat's 21 points and five rebounds; RJ Ramirez's 13 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals; and JC Recto's 10 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
The preseason continues at the same venue on Thursday, with games pitting San Juan against the Junior MPBL D-League Selection at 5 p.m., and Caloocan against Ilagan Isabela at 7 p.m. (Contributed story)
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