MANILA — Defending champions Abra Solid North Weavers sent a chilling warning to the rest of the league as prized recruit Tucker Molina exploded in his debut, powering a ruthless 93–69 dismantling of Bacolod Masskara in the 2026 MPBL Preseason Invitational at the Alonte Sports Arena.
Abra flexed championship depth and inside dominance to improve to 3–0 and seize solo control of Group A, overwhelming Bacolod with a punishing paint attack and relentless transition game that turned a tight first half into a one-sided rout.
All eyes were on Molina — and he did not disappoint.
The 6-foot-6 forward from Arizona Christian University made an immediate impact in his first outing for the Weavers, tallying 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. He ignited the third-quarter breakaway with back-to-back thunderous dunks that electrified the crowd and effectively buried Bacolod’s hopes of a comeback.
Reigning league MVP Dave Ildefonso paced Abra with 17 points, while Drex Delos Reyes imposed his presence inside with 16 points and eight rebounds. Last season’s Rookie of the Year Raven Gonzales added 11 points, six rebounds, and two blocks, and Will Kean Lee chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in a balanced offensive display.
Abra dictated the tempo from the outset and dominated the interior, outrebounding Bacolod 44–26 and torching the Masskara 48–20 in the paint. The Weavers also feasted on second-chance points, 20–9, and ran circles around their opponents in transition, 29–6.
Bacolod showed early resistance and even knotted the game at 32 after a triple by Reil Cervantes. But the champions responded with a decisive closing run before halftime to build a 49–35 cushion — a lead they would only widen in the second half.
Cervantes led the Masskara with 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Rev Diputado, Wilson Baltazar, and Arvie Bringas added nine points each.
With Molina seamlessly fitting into an already loaded rotation, Abra looks every bit ready to defend its throne — and perhaps even raise the bar./PN
