Knights Halt Weavers’ 48-Game Winning Streak

The San Juan Knights ended the Abra Solid North Weavers’ 13-month dominance with a 66–58 triumph on Saturday in the 2026 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season at a raucous FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Trailing 44–48, the Knights responded with a decisive 8–0 run—four points each from Harold Alarcon and James Kwekuteye—to stretch the lead to 56–44. San Juan secured its third win in four games during the round-robin elimination phase of the two-division, 28-team tournament.

The reigning champion Weavers threatened late, cutting the deficit to 54–57 on a 10–1 run sparked by Mike Ayonayon’s three-pointer. However, the Knights held firm, with Alarcon, along with former University of the Philippines standouts Reyland Torres and Garry Abadiano, and ex-Perpetual Help star Patrick Sleat anchoring the defense.

Alarcon finished with eight points—six in the fourth quarter—alongside eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals, earning Best Player of the Game honors over Aldrech Ramos, who had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Kwekuteye, who added 10 points, two rebounds, and two steals. Mike Phillips contributed four points but dominated the boards with 11 rebounds.

The defeat ended the Weavers’ remarkable 48-game winning streak dating back to March 2025, which included a 10-game sweep of the 2026 Preseason Invitational. Turnovers hurt Abra, with 16 giveaways compared to San Juan’s six, while the Knights also controlled the offensive glass, 22–11. DJ Fenner led the Weavers with 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists, supported by Ayonayon with 12 points and three rebounds, and Encho Serrano with eight points.

Reigning MVP Dave Ildefonso was limited to four points and three rebounds before leaving with 5:29 remaining due to injury, while Fil-Am Tucker Molina was held scoreless by San Juan’s tight defense.

In the nightcap, the Cebu Greats posted an 81–64 wire-to-wire win over the Bataan Risers. Mark Meneses starred with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, with Brian Heruela adding 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals, and Simon Camacho contributing eight points and nine boards.

Bataan, suffering its second consecutive loss to fall to 3–2, was led by Alfred Flores with 20 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Hubert Cani added 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Robbi Darang contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists.