Ilagan Isabela, Abra win in MPBL opener

Behind Arth dela Cruz and JR Olegario, Ilagan Isabela crushed Sarangani, 74-54, during the inaugurals of the

Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season on Saturday at their homecourt — The Capital Arena.

The Cowboys outscored the Grippers, 27-15, in the payoff period to win their first MPBL game pulling away.

With the outcome beyond doubt, 71-50, following a Dela Cruz bucket, majority of the 10,000 capacity crowd headed to the exits happy and proud.

Dela Cruz, former gunner of the Davao Occidental Tigers, fired 16 points on top of 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block to clinch best player honors.

Olegario, formerly of the Parañaque Patriots, tallied 13 points, two rebounds and two steals for Cowboys coach Louie Gonzalez.

Other Cowboys who delivered were Joshua Guiab, former star of Jose Rizal University, with 12 points plus five rebounds, two assists and a steal; Joshua Gallano, another former Patriot, with 11 points, seven 7 assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block; and Gab Gomez, formerly of Ateneo, with 10 points and two assists.

Sarangani drew 14 points, four rebounds and four assists from Kyt Jimenez, 10 points and four rebounds from Larce Sunga and six points each from Coy Alves and Junjie Hallare.

The Cowboys broke free, 33-12, before the Grippers persevered to close the gap, 35-22, at the break.

Back-to-back triples by Olegario pushed the Cowboys farther ahead, 53-40, early in the fourth quarter.

Abra Solid North weathered Biñan Tatak Gel’s final rally to prevail, 69-60, in the opener.

The Abra Weavers saw their 17-point spread, 62-45, cut to just six, 63-57, by Binan as KG Canaleta and Michael Maestre caught fire.

Dave Ildefonso and Marwin Taywan, however, scored back-to-back baskets to foil Biñan’s comeback with one minute and one second left.