MPBL semis: Abra collides with Caloocan; San Juan battles Pangasinan

Dave Ildefonso in action for Abra.

MPBL

MANILA, Philippines — The Abra Solid North Weavers and the San Juan Knights tackle dangerous rivals at the start of the North Division semifinal round on Tuesday in the 747 Live presents Manny Pacquiao MPBL 2025 Season at the Gov. Andres B. Bernos Memorial Gymnasium in Abra, Bangued.

Top seed Abra battles unpredictable Caloocan at 6 p.m., after the 4 p.m. collision between 2019 MPBL champion San Juan and resurgent Pangasinan.

Wielding a record 28-win streak, the powerhouse Weavers are favored over the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo, 2-0 conqueror of back-to-back champion Pampanga Giant Lanterns, 2-0, in their quarterfinal round series.

Dave Ildefonso heads the Weavers, who are 3-deep in all positions, with support from Encho Serrano, Mike Ayonayon, Raven Gonzales, Jolo Mendoza, John Uduba and Jason Brickman.

Caloocan, bereft of a pure center, will lean on gunners Jeff Manday, Jeramer Cabanag, Chris Bitoon, Rommel Calahat, Paul Sanga and Reil Cervantes.

San Juan is the slight pick over Pangasinan, which stunned 2022 champion Nueva Ecija, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round.

The Knights will be led by Orlan Wamar, Agem Miranda, Michael Calisaan, Dexter Maiquez and AC Soberano as they try to repeat their 73-66 victory over the Heatwaves in the round-robin elimination phase of the originally 30-team, two-division tournament.

Pangasinan is banking on Vic Manuel, Jorey Napoles, Alyn Bulanadi, Chris Bitoon, Hesed Gabo and Michael Mabulac in its bid for another playoff stunner.