We’re already in the final weeks of season 7 of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), and it’s already clear who the frontrunners are to win it all – Abra Weavers. An emerging team filled with young stars, battle-tested champions, and a surplus of basketball veterans, one might ask: how stacked really is Abra right now?
Abra’s Almost Undefeated Record Says It All
Out of their first 22 games in the elimination round, the Abra Weavers have managed to win 21 of those easily. Not even their rival, the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards, could contain the Ildefonso-Serrano-Taywan trio. Even the reigning champs, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns with Archie Concepcion and Larry Muyang, didn’t stand a chance.
In its current form, Abra may just have the most stacked roster of all time. Here’s the proof.
- Dave Ildefonso: This year’s clear MVP, and it’s not even close. Ildefonso is putting up ridiculous numbers in his first stint in MPBL, fresh from Korea and Dubai. The 25-year-old star is currently averaging 19.3 points, 3.1 assists, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 steals a night.
- Encho Serrano: The two-time league champion who’s always been known for being explosive despite his height. The former Giant Lantern is consistently igniting the Weavers with his 12-2-4 stat line.
- Geo Chiu: The 6’10” former Gilas Pilipinas big man has only played in 7 games for Abra, and though he’s been quiet, Chiu is actually solid.
- Marwin Taywan: The veteran player has been a solid complement to Serrano and Ildefonso so far because of his unstoppable shooting, averaging 9.3 points and 5.6 assists per game on 33.6% shooting from long range.
- Mike Ayonayon: The 32-year-old cager may not look like his old self, but Ayonayon is still a legit contributor. The first-ever MPBL champion and Finals MVP can most definitely still light it up off the bench.
- Jason Brickman: An elite playmaker and PBA rookie prospect, had just joined the team, boosting their chances of winning the championship even further.
- CJ Austria: His resume is quite impressive, considering that he’s a UAAP 3×3 MVP.
- Joshua David: Fresh from his UAAP stint, former La Salle Archer Joshua David signs with Abra to provide exceptional defense.
On the other hand, you have serviceable veterans like Mark Yee (PBA champ, MPBL champ, and Finals MVP), Leo Najorda (2-time MPBL All-Star), and Yousef Taja on the reserve list, which would give any opposing teams’ starters problems.
All in all, the Abra Weavers aren’t just stacked–they’re loaded.
They’re super loaded with stars and young talents ready to take over the league, not even the Justine Baltazar-led Pampanga in 2024 could compare. Even Abra’s second unit could pass as every other team’s starting five, maybe even better.
One could even ask: Is there a team in the MPBL right now that can beat Abra or even compete with them in the playoffs?
They’re expected to win and cruise past everyone easily. It would be such a shame if they don’t.
