Gerry Abadiano knocked in two free throws with 10.99 seconds left to lift the San Juan Knights past the GenSan Warriors, 81-79, and to a share of the top spot in the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
The tiebreakers, which became possible because Reyland Torres poured in 10 points for the Knights in the fourth quarter, shattered the last deadlock at 79 when Gensan’s Mark Cruz drove in with 29.6 seconds left and enabled San Juan to join Abra Solid North at the helm of the two-division, 27-team tournament.
The Knights and the Abra Weavers both have 13-1 records in the North Division, towing the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo (14-2) and the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, who climbed to 11-6 following an 80-76 victory over the Bataan Risers in the second game.
Torres finished with 13 points and four rebounds and was chosen Best Player over Dexter Maiquez, who had 16 points and nine rebounds, and Michael Calisaan, with 12 points and four rebounds.
“I challenged myself to do well,” said Torres, a former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroon like Abadiano. “We were able to overcome the physicality of Gensan.”
The KBL (Korean Basketball League)-bound Abadiano wound up with nine points, two rebounds and two assists, followed by Orlan Wamar, with nine points, seven assists and four rebounds, as San Juan survived without Michael Phillips, who played for Gilas Pilipinas in its recent losses to New Zealand and powerhouse Australia in the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
GenSan had two chances to reverse the outcome, but Cruz and Val Acuna missed their triple tries in the dying seconds and failed to prevent the Warriors’ fall from first to joint third in the South Division.
Cruz ended up with 13 points, followed by Anton Eusebio and Joshua Fontanilla with 12 each for GenSan, which tumbled to 14-3 and trailed Batangas (13-2) and Quezon Province (10-2), and is tied with Cebu, 97-67 conqueror of Bacolod in the opener.
Ilagan Isabela thwarts Bataan
With the Risers threatening at 76-77 from an 11-point deficit, Robby Celiz came to the Cowboys’ rescue, knocking in three charities for the final tally.
Celiz delivered 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, complementing Arth Dela Cruz’s 18 points, 14 rebounds and three assists; and Jayboy Solis’ 12 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
Bataan, which dropped to 6-10, got 11 points each from Carl Bringas and Yves Sazon, and 10 each from Chris Javier and Alfred Flores.
Cebu hit its stride after the returning Jun Manzo and Limuel Tampus turned hot with nine and eight points, respectively, and shoved the Greats ahead at the break, 46-33.
Mark Meneses and Brylle Meca took over in the second half, where the Greats moved beyond reach, 95-60, following a triple by Tampus with 5:11 left.
Meneses carded 18 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but Tampus was chosen Best Player with 12 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Manzo, playing after a long absence from the Greats, contributed 13 points and two rebounds, while Ron Dennison chipped in 10 points.
The 6-foot-1 Tampus, dubbed ‘Boomboom’ for his explosiveness and slam dunks, said he found it easy to adjust to the Greats’ plays as his teammates have been guiding and supporting him.
Bacolod, which slid to 3-16, got 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals from Filipino-American Desmond Price; 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists from Rafael Go; 12 points from Marjun Wahing; and 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks from Ram Mesqueriola.
The tournament goes to the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Banqued, Abra, on Saturday, featuring games between Quezon City and Quezon Province at 3 p.m., and Abra Solid North against Rizal XentroMall at 6 p.m. There will be an awarding of the championship rings to the Abra Weavers at 5 p.m. for ruling the 2025 MPBL Season