Abra goes for jugular

Abra is shooting for the crown, Quezon is fighting for life.

This is the scenario when the Solid North Weavers and the Huskers tangle in Game 3 of the 747. LIVE presents Manny Pacquiao Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2025 Season National Finals on Tuesday at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.

After two scary wins at home, the North Division champion Weavers would try to cut short the best-of-five series with a victory at the Huskers' lair in the 7 p.m. encounter.

The Huskers, the South Division kings, blew away Game 1, 80-81, in overtime, and fell short in Game 2, 58-62, putting them on the brink of getting swept again, like what the Pampanga Giant Lanterns did to them in last year's National Finals.

Abra, bidding for its first title after joining the league in 2024, will be led by Most Valuable Player (MVP) race pacesetter Dave Ildefonso, crack point guard Jason Brickman, Encho Serrano, John Uduba, Ryan Batino, Mike Ayonayon, Raven Gonzales, Marwin Taywan and 6-foot-10 Geo Chiu.

Ljay Gonzales will spearhead the Huskers, with support from Christian Pagaran, Ximone Sandagon, Alfrancis Tamsi, Vince Magbuhos, Joseph Gabayni and Gab Banal.

Forced to work doubly hard in the absence of injured gunner Judel Fuentes, Gonzales averaged team-highs 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds plus 3 assists and 1 steal in the Finals.

With Fuentes expected to return for the Huskers' last stand, Gonzales could be given more time to rest and be more effective in the fourth quarter.