THE Abra Solid North Weavers foiled the Pangasinan Heatwaves' last assault to prevail, 65-59, on Friday and move a win away from the North Division title of the MPBL 2025 Season at the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gym in Bangued, Abra.
Pangasinan closed in, 59-64, but Abra held on to post a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Abra will shoot for a 3-0 sweep on Thursday in Pangasinan.
Ildefonso double-double
Unable to find his range, Dave Ildefonso persevered to post 11 points, 15 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 assists and 2 blocks and earn Best Player honors.
Mike Ayonayon supported Ildefonso with 12 points and 4 rebounds, followed by Raven Gonzales with 11 points and 3 rebounds.
Pangasinan drew 14 points, highlighted by three triples in the fourth quarter, from Jorey Napoles, 13 points and 6 rebounds from Vic Manuel, and 11 points and 10 rebounds from Mike DiGregorio.
Manuel put Pangasinan ahead, 15-11, but Abra closed out with a 7-1 run to knot the count at 16 in the first quarter.
Gonzales bunched seven points and Ildefonso and Mike Ayonayon scored on drives against a turnaround by Manuel to push the Weavers in front, 32-25, before Bong Galanza struck to end the half at 34-30.
The Weavers clustered nine points to break away from the Heatwaves, 49-37, late in the third quarter.
The Weavers trounced the Heatwaves, 77-58, in Game One at the same venue on Wednesday.
The South Division Finals between Quezon Province and Binan will start on Monday, November 24, at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
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