Cabañero powers Biñan past San Juan

Biñan Tatak Gel stunned San Juan, 71-64, in the nightcap to share the limelight with streaking Abra Solid North and rising Rizal Province in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League 2026 Season at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan on Friday.

The Abra Weavers battered the Valenzuela City Darkhorse, 106-70, in the opener to tally their 18th straight victory and climb to 20-1, while the Rizal Golden Coolers bested the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 77-72, in the second game for their fourth straight win and a 14-7 slate.

With the count tied at 56, Nic Cabañero drilled in a triple to spark a 9-3 salvo in the homestretch that pushed Binan ahead, 66-59, en route to its 18th win against four losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 26-team tournament.

Biñan ranks third in the South division, behind Batangas City (16-3) and Quezon Province (14-3).

Cabañero, former star of University of Santo Tomas, finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocks to clinch the SportsPlus Best Player honors over Kenny Rocacurva, with 13 points and seven rebounds, and Warren Bonifacio, with 10 points and seven rebounds.

San Juan, which failed to score in the last minute, dropped to a 17-3 slate and joint second with the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo in the North division, being paced by Abra. Ilagan Isabela kept the fourth spot with a 13-9 card.

The Knights drew 17 points and 13 rebounds from Mike Calisaan, 13 points and six rebounds from James Kwekuteye, and 11 points and seven rebounds from Harold Alarcon.

Abra, which scored the game's first 12 points and led as far as 105-64, is assured of a top-four finish and the home court advantage in the quarterfinal playoffs.

Encho Serrano paced Abra with 22 points and 2 assists, followed by Mike Ayonayon with 15 points, six assists and three rebounds, Tucker Molina with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists, and John Uduba with 12 points and three rebounds.

Molina, who delighted the crowd with a follow-up dunk in the fourth quarter, was chosen the Best Player over Serrano and Ayonayon.