Abra bags top spot; Cabañero drops 53

The Abra Solid North Weavers unleashed a fourth-quarter scoring spurt to trounce the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 81-59, and secure the top playoff spot in the North division of the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season on Thursday at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

Powered by Filipino-American DJ Fenner and Jake Figueroa, defending champion Abra poured in 15 points while holding Caloocan to 1, to close the round-robin elimination phase with a 23-2 record, moving beyond the reach of San Juan (20-3).

The Weavers, the country's representative in the East Asia Super League 2026-27 Season starting in Cebu on 3 October, will tackle the eighth and last North qualifier in the best-of-three quarterfinals, with the homecourt advantage.

Fenner posted 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists to earn the Best Player honors over reigning Most Valuable Player Dave Ildefonso, who notched 18 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Other Weavers who delivered were Mike Ayonayon with nine points and three assists, and Figueroa, with eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

Caloocan, which forfeited its game against Biñan Tatak Gel last Saturday in Polomolok, South Cotabato, tumbled to 18-5, although it is assured of the third playoff slot in the North.

The Batang Kankaloo got 12 points, three rebounds and two assists from Kean Baclaan, and 11 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals from Chris Bitoon.

Meanwhile, Nic Cabañero fired an MPBL record 53 points, highlighted by a record 31 points in the fourth quarter, and completed a triple-double as Biñan Tatak Gel dumped Pasig City, 121-79, in the nightcap and wound up with a 21-4 slate.

The 22-year-old Cabanero, former star of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, eclipsed Jeff Viernes' 50-point effort with the Sarangani Marlins in 2023, apart from snaring 22 rebounds, handing off 10 assists, and making three steals to run away with the Best Player honors.

The 6-foot-2 Cabanero, who hails from Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, also shattered the 22-point-per-quarter record set by San Juan's Orlan Wamar last year.