Knights, Weavers set North Finals duel

San Juan bested Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 82-78, in overtime to advance to the North Division Finals against Abra in the SportsPlus Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Ynares Center Montalban, Rizal Province on Wednesday.

Earlier, the defending champion Abra Solid North Weavers beat the Pasay Voyagers, 77-69, to sweep their semifinal series.

Michael Calisaan delivered six points, while James Kwekuteye and Royce Alforque also contributed in the extension as the San Juan Knights repeated their 73-71 overtime victory over the Batang Kankaloo on 24 October and swept the best-of-three semifinal series.

Alforque scored on a follow-up, and after a triple by Kymani Ladi put Caloocan to within 78-79, Kwekuteye stripped the ball from Jeff Manday, then blocked Kean Baclaan’s drive in the last two seconds to secure the win.

With San Juan ahead, 70-68, in regulation play, Caloocan got a lease on life after Dom Escobar, who muffed his first free throw with 2.6 seconds left, intentionally missed the second, grabbed the rebound, and canned a jumper to force extra time.

Harold Alarcon, whose jumper with 6.8 seconds to go pushed San Juan ahead, 70-68, was chosen the SportsPlus Best Player with six points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

AC Soberano topscored for the Knights, the 2019 MPBL champions, with 15, followed by Calisaan with 13 plus six rebounds; Dexter Maiquez with 10 points, and Kwekuteye, with eight points, six rebounds and three steals.

Alarcon said they need to play better in the Finals since they will be up against the strong and intact Weavers.

San Juan is likely to miss Terrence Fortea, who was stretchered out with a likely knee injury, in the best-of-five series, while skipper Orlan Wamar is on the watch list following a sprain.