ABRA stamped its dominance in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) last year.
Boasting a deep and potent roster, the Abra Solid North Weavers swept the Quezon Huskers, 3-0, in the National Finals to clinch the 747. LIVE presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season crown and extend their record winning streak to 36.
Powered by Dave Ildefonso, the 2025 MVP, Jason Brickman, the National Finals’ best player, Encho Serrano, a three-time national champion, former Finals MVP Mike Ayonayon, and Rookie of the Year Raven Gonzales, Abra won its last 26 games and finished the single round-robin elimination phase of the 30-team tournament with a 28-1 slate.
Continuing their rampage in the playoffs, the Weavers blanked the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, 2-0, in the quarterfinal round, Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 2-0, in the semifinals, and the Pangasinan Heatwaves, 3-0, in the North Division Finals.
Other Weavers who delivered for Coach of the Year Yong Garcia and team owner Cong. JB Bernos were Ryan Batino, John Uduba, Marwin Taywan, PBA top draftee Geo Chiu, former Finals MVP Mark Yee, Simon Camacho and CJ Austria.
Although Quezon Province, the South Division champion, suffered its second straight shutout loss in the National Finals, the Huskers fared better than against the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in 2024.
The Huskers blew two golden chances and yielded Game One, 81-80, in overtime, Game Two by 62-58, and Game Three, 94-85, also in overtime.
Ljay Gonzales stood out for the Huskers and made the All-MPBL First Team with Ildefonso, Christian Fajarito of Pasay, Vic Manuel of Pangasinan, and Kenny Roger Rocacurva of Binan, the losing South Division finalist.
The other South playoff qualifiers were losing semifinalists Batangas and Gensan, Rizal Xentromall and Basilan, and play-in survivors Zamboanga SiKat and Mindoro.
Pangasinan, which advanced with Ilagan Isabela, through the play-in, turned out to be the Seventh Season’s big surprise as it toppled powerhouses Nueva Ecija (2-1) and San Juan (2-1) in succession, before bowing to Abra, a quarterfinalist in its maiden stint in 2024.
Completing the 2025 cast of the country’s top regional league were quarterfinalist Pasay, and Bataan, Pasig, Valenzuela, Quezon City, Manila, Marikina and Bulacan in the North; and Davao, Cebu, Sarangani, Muntinlupa, Imus, Bacolod and Paranaque in the South.
