The Abra Solid North Weavers got tested before besting the Bataan Risers, 74-71, and extending their hot run in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Dave Ildefonso again bailed out the Weavers, scoring seven of their last nine points, including two charities with 11.5 seconds left, that secured the defending champions’ 16th straight win and 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

Bataan had a chance to force overtime, but Migs Corteza missed his long corner jumper with 6.6 seconds left, and Abra’s Mike Ayonayon snared the rebound to preserve the Weavers’ lead in the North division over Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (17-2) and the San Juan Knights (17-2).

Showing why he is the reigning Most Valuable Player, Ildefonso finished with 29 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals to garner his fourth straight SportsPlus Best Player honors.

“I always strive to stay in shape, stay ready,” said Ildefonso, who only got a 44-second respite for the game as DJ Fenner and Tucker Molina were both unavailable.

”Hats off to Bataan. They gave us a run for our money.”

Ayonayon also shone with 15 points, including nine straight that pushed Abra to its biggest spread, 58-44, after the third quarter.

Raven Gonzales supported with eight points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, followed by Shaun Ildefonso with four points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Bataan, which fell to 8-12, got 19 points, spiked with five triples, from Hubert Cani, 10 points from Yves Sazon, and nine each from Chris Javier and Corteza.