Francis Ablan became an instant millionaire on Monday when he won the SportsPlus 1 Million Clutch Time Challenge at the San Jose Del Monte Sports Complex in Bulacan.
The 22-year-old Ablan, an aspiring player for La Concepcion College in San Jose City, made his undergoal shot right away, sank his second free throw attempt, converted his first triple try, and also needed just one shot from half court to complete the 45-second, four-shot challenge in just 25 seconds.
Ablan, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard in San Jose’s Inter-Barangay league, became the first winner of the event initiated by SportsPlus, the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season major sponsor, during the halftime break of the Abra Solid North-Batangas City Tanduay encounter.
A third-year Hospitality Management student, Ablan said he would use the prize money for repairs in their house in Barangay Gumaoc, San Jose City.
The P1-million prize is the biggest ever for a side event in local basketball annals.