JUST last year, Abra claimed the 2025 MPBL national championship in convincing fashion, headlined by the likes of Season MVP Dave Ildefonso alongside the likes of Geo Chiu, Jason Brickman, CJ Austria, Joshua David, and Jack Cruz-Dumont.
Fast forward to today, and among those key cogs, only Ildefonso remains a Weaver.
Even more, they will be defending their title in a tournament featuring the brightest influx of collegiate stars.
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Three teams in their division became powerhouses overnight in Kean Baclaan and Kymani Ladi-powered Caloocan, while perennial contender San Juan welcomed with open arms Mike Phillips and the University of the Philippines' 'Maroon 4.'
Quezon Province, Abra's finals foe last year, also geared up for another go by adding Cedrick Manzano, Jolo Manansala, and John Abate, all of whom contributed for their respective UAAP teams.
Weavers head coach Yong Garcia, however, chooses to look at the development as a positive, especially for the MPBL and its fans.
“Ang masasabi ko talaga, very exciting yung season ngayon ng MPBL,” he told SPIN.ph. “Dahil most of the teams, talagang nagpalakas na, talagang meron chance na manalo and mag-champion. So talagang very exciting.”
While the playing field did level up, it’s not all doom and gloom for the reigning titlists.
If their challengers beefed up, so did Abra in the form of Dave's older brother Shaun, alongside heady guards Kascius Small-Martin and Nico Elorde.
To then make up for the departures of Chiu and Mark Yee, it also signed DJ Fenner and Drex Delos Reyes, who both impressed in their debut games against Parañaque with 18 and 15 points, respectively.
Meaning, however good other teams' rosters may look, the championship still goes through these Weavers.
“Challenge dahil siyempre may equal chance. Kailangan lang doblehin namin yung effort namin, especially sa preparation at dun sa best effort namin every time maglalaro kami,” said Garcia.
But wait, there's more
And if we thought Abra was good to go for a back-to-back following their 30-point win to open the season, it’s actually just about to get scarier - because its, arguably, two best acquisitions haven’t even suited up yet.
Don't forget that both JD Cagulangan and Jake Figueroa are still waiting in the wings.
The two last played in the KBL, with Cagulangan suting up for Suwon KT Sonicboom and averaging 7.3 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals en route to Rookie of the Year honors.
Unfortunately, the onetime UAAP Finals MVP went down with an ACL tear in early 2025, an injury he continues to recover from.
“Ang advice namin sa kanya, mag-focus muna siya sa rehab niya. Nasa sa kanya na yan talaga kung makakahabol siya ngayong season,” said Garcia
On the other hand, Figueroa, who finished as UAAP Season 88 MVP runner-up before his short stint with Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus, won’t be taking as long before he joins the Ildefonso brothers at the wings.
“Si Jake, medyo na-homesick siya from Korea, so binigyan namin siya ng time na makasama muna yung family niya. Ayan yung na-request niya, so hopefully, makabalik na rin si Jake dito sa Manila,” said Garcia.
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