Abra shattered Nueva Ecija's myth of invincibility with an 82-71 victory, joining their victims at the top of Manny Pacquiao presents 1xBet-Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2025 Season at the Nueva Ecija Coliseum in Palayan City on Saturday.
Dave Ildefonso shone again with 25 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two assists the Solid North Weavers matched Nueva Ecija's 18-1 record in the round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament.
The 6-foot-4, do-it-all Ildefonso clinched best player honors over Marwin Taywan, who posted 17 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, five assists, three steals and two rebounds in the Weavers' 15th straight win.
Other Weavers who delivered were Encho Serrano with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists, Ryan Batino with eight points and six rebounds, and Raven Gonzales with eight points and two rebounds.
Nueva Ecija, the 2022 MPBL titlist, trailed as far as 36-57 and never recovered despite the joint effort of Robby Celiz, with 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks, and Jaycee Marcelino, with 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals.