Caloocan, Batangas join Abra in early MPBL Preseason lead

Reinforced Caloocan thwarted Muntinlupa, 74-66, in the nightcap on Saturday to join Abra and Batangas in the early lead of the 2026 MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Preseason Invitational at the Caloocan Sports Complex.

The Abra Solid North Weavers coasted to a 102-88 victory over the Sarangani 10ACT Marlins in the opener, while the Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters followed suit with a 77-60 conquest of the Bataan Risers.

Bolstered by coveted veterans Rob Celiz and Eric Camson, gunner Jielo Razon, and touted rookie Kean Baclaan, the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo bunched 12 points to break free 66-53, midway through the fourth quarter.

Celiz, a four-time MPBL All-Star, posted 16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal to earn best player honors over mainstay Chris Bitoon, who tallied 11 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

Rommel Calahat contributed 9 points, while Baclaan, a former De La Salle star, got going in the second half and finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in his pro debut.

Camson, former main man of Rizal Province, Jammer Jamito and Razon chipped in 8 points each for the Batang Kankaloo, regarded as a strong contender in the coming 2026 MPBL Eighth Season.

The Muntinlupa Cagers, who led for 11 minutes and 53 seconds, got 13 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds from Shawn Argente, 8 points from Felix Apreku and 6 points each from MJ Dela Virgen and Gamaliel Evangelista.

New Batangas high-flyer Rhinwill Yambing, playing against his former team, came through with 16 points and 4 rebounds and was chosen best player over fellow recruit Jhan Nermal, who tallied 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 assists.

Batangas remnant Cedric Ablaza made 8 points, while acquisitions Ino Comboy and Kraniel Viloria contributed 6 and 3 points, respectively.

Flashing the form that made them the MPBL Seventh Season champions, the Abra Weavers pulled away, 71-40, midway through the third quarter before easing on defense and fielding their role players.

Encho Serrano fired a game-high 24 points in just 14 minutes and 34 seconds to head six Weavers in double figures.

Homegrown Will Keane Lee, tending the backcourt vacated by 2025 Finals MVP Jason Brickman, posted 12 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds, followed by Harley Baldo with 11.

Reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso contributed 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, homegrown Redel Fabro 10 points and 3 assists, and 6-foot-8 rookie Drex Delos Reyes 10 points plus 7 rebounds.

With Delos Reyes and Rookie of the Year Raven Gonzales, also 6-foot-8, at the helm, the Weavers ruled the boards, 43-36, resulting to more points in the paint, 54-38.

The Sarangani Marlins drew 18 points and 6 rebounds from Coy Alves, 13 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists from Lars Sunga, 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists from Danny Marilao, 10 points plus 4 rebounds from Tzaddy Rangel, and 6 points, 12 assists and 5 rebounds from Yvan Ludovice.

With Serrano pouring in 19 points and Gonzales adding nine, the Weavers surged ahead in the first half, 50-30, and were never headed.

The 18-team Preseason continues at the same venue on Tuesday, with games pitting Quezon Province against the Junior MPBL D-League Selection at 3 p.m. and San Juan against Marikina at 5 p.m.