Abadiano Powers Knights Past Steel; Golden Coolers Extend Winning Run

Gerry Abadiano sparked a decisive third-quarter surge as the San Juan Knights rolled to a convincing 97-79 victory over the Basilan Steel on Saturday in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) 2026 Season at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.

Abadiano scored 11 of his 20 points in the pivotal third period, helping San Juan dominate the quarter, 28-15, and turn a competitive game into a comfortable 74-53 advantage heading into the final frame.

The victory stretched the Knights' winning streak to five games and improved their record to 7-1 in the round-robin elimination phase of the 28-team league.

The 2019 MPBL champions remained among the top contenders in the standings, trailing only unbeaten squads Caloocan (10-0), Gensan (10-0), and Quezon Province (7-0), while matching reigning champion Abra Solid North at 7-1.

Abadiano, a former University of the Philippines standout and junior national team player, led the charge with 20 points, highlighted by three three-pointers, along with four rebounds and three assists.

Michael Calisaan contributed a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Dexter Maiquez added 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds.

Mike Phillips chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds, while Aldrech Ramos also scored 10 points and grabbed five boards as San Juan displayed its balanced attack.

Basilan slipped to an even 5-5 record despite strong performances from veterans John Wilson and Byron Villarias, who finished with 23 and 19 points, respectively.

The Knights dominated inside throughout the contest, controlling the rebounding battle, 54-26, and outscoring the Steel, 54-26, in points in the paint.

In the evening’s final game, the Rizal Xentromall Golden Coolers used a balanced offensive effort to turn back the Bataan Risers, 100-93.

Alwyn Alday spearheaded the attack as seven Rizal players scored in double figures, helping the Golden Coolers notch their second straight win and improve to 5-4.

Alday, one of only three members of the MPBL’s 2,000-point club, finished with 22 points, five rebounds, and two assists. JP Maguliano added 13 points and six rebounds.

JP Sarao contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, while Marco Balagtas posted 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Billy Robles, Laurenz Victoria, and Joel Lee Yu chipped in 10 points apiece.

Rizal finally created separation late after a tightly contested battle that featured 20 lead changes and nine deadlocks, opening a 94-79 advantage to seize control.

The Risers absorbed their fifth consecutive defeat and fell to 3-7 despite receiving 15 points from Yves Sazon. Chito Jaime and Hubert Cani added 13 points each, while Robbi Darang and Alfred Flores scored 11 apiece.

Flores helped fuel a late Bataan rally that trimmed the deficit to seven points, 97-90, in the closing minute, but Rizal held firm to secure the victory.