Abra Solid North quashed Biñan's final assault to prevail, 63-53, and keep top spot in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

DJ Fenner triggered a seven-point cluster in the last five minutes that pushed the Abra Weavers ahead, 60-51, and secured the defending champions' 18th win in 19 starts in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

Abra extended its hot run to 16 and paced the race for playoff spots in the North division, trailing Caloocan (18-2), San Juan (16-2), and Ilagan Isabela (14-7).

Biñan threatened at 49-51 after a triple by Renzo Subido, but Dave Ildefonso retaliated with a triple to increase Abra's lead to five.

Marc Pingris scored inside to cut the deficit to 51-54, only for Fenner to drill in a jumper, Shaun Ildefonso to cut loose, and Fenner to nail another jumper with 3:41 left that pulled Biñan down to 16-4 and third place in the South division, behind Batangas (15-3) and Quezon Province (14-2).

Dave Ildefonso, the reigning Most Valuable Player, posted 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks to capture his third straight SportsPlus Best Player honors over Fenner, who finished with 14 points and seven rebounds, and Jake Figueroa, with 13 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

Raven Gonzales also shone for Abra with five points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, two on Pingris in the crucial minutes, where Biñan was held to two points.

Biñan, which saw its 13-win run broken, drew 15 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists from Nic Cabañero, eight points, nine rebounds, and two steals from Kenny Rocacurva, and eight points plus three rebounds from Michael Mabulac.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys shook off a sluggish start to subdue the Negros Hacienderos, 101-89, in the opener, while the Meycauayan Marilao Gems beat the Parañaque Patriots, 91-80, in the second game.

The Gems improved to 11-9 behind Jimboy Pasturan's 22 points, spiked by six triples, and 22 rebounds; Agem Miranda's 16 points, nine assists, and four rebounds; and Jayson Apolonio's 10 points, five rebounds, and two assists.

Parañaque skidded to 2-21 despite Dom Matillano's 25 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, Marlon Monte's 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists, and James Mangahas' 16 points plus two rebounds.