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| Dave Ildefonso shines for the Abra Weavers. MPBL |
ILAGAN, Isabela--Abra Solid North weathered Biñan Tatak Gel's final rally to prevail, 69-60, on Saturday in the opener of the Manny Pacquiao presents 1XBet-MPBL 2025 Season at the packed The Capital Arena here.
The Abra Weavers saw their 17-point spread, 62-45, cut to just six, 73-67, by Binan as KG Canaleta and Michale Maestre waxed hot.
However, Dave Ildefonso and Marwin Taywan scored back-to-back baskets to foil Binan's comeback with 1 minute and 1 second left.
Encho Serrano, recruited from Pampanga, notched 14 points for Abra, but Ildefonso clinched best player honors with 13 plus 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
Taywan, formerly of San Juan, supported them with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, and so did former De La Salle Green Archer Raven Gonzales with 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Exploiting their height advantage, the Weavers lorded it over the boards, 49-28, leading to a huge 42-18 edge in points inside the paint and second chance points, 12-2.
Yousef Taha and John Uduba typified the Weavers' inside might with 11 and 9 rebounds, respectively.
Binan drew 11 points each from Pamboy Raymundo and Canaleta, followed by Jeric James Pido with 8.
The Weavers, behind Serrano's 7 points, returnee Ryan Batino, and the 6-foot-7 Gonzales' 6 points each, surged ahead, 35-24, at halftime.
Binan got 6 points from Pamboy Raymundo in that span, including the seventh season's first basket with a jumper 12 seconds into the game, and 5 points from Pido.
The game was preceded by an opening ceremony that included the parade of representatives and muses of the 30 competing teams, a video presentation of Ilagan City, songs, and dances.
Johnlene Ariola, Bb. Ilagan 2024, was chosen best muse.
MPBL founder and chairman Manny Pacquiao, who motored to this city after his flight got cancelled, graced the event with Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz, Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano, and Ilagan Isabela Cowboys team owner Avelino Diaz.
Also present were MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, Chief Legal Counsel Glenn Gacal, Operations Head Emmer Oreta, and Security Chief Rudy Distrito.
Box Scores:
ABRA 69 - Serrano 14, Ildefonso 13, Taywan 12, Gonzales 12, Batino 7, Desiderio 3, David 2, Uduba 2, Taha 2, Yee 2, Dumot 0, Lee 0, G.Gonzales 0, Austria 0, Fabro 0.
BINAN 60 - Raymundo 11, Canaleta 11, Pido 8, Subido 6, Lastimosa 6, Maestre 6, Fajarito 4, Penaredondo 3, Racacurva 3, Hernandez 2, Pingris 0, Ballesteros 0, Anonuevo 0, Alonte 0, Gimpayan 0.
Quarterscores: 20-12, 35-24, 54-41, 69-60
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