THE Pangasinan Heatwaves’ spirited MPBL run came to a halt after the Abra Solid North Weavers completed a sweep with a decisive 99–74 win in Game 3 of the North Division Finals on November 27 at the Robert Estrella Sr. Memorial Gym in Rosales.

Abra wasted no time asserting control, firing at a blistering 64% clip in the opening quarter behind Encho Serrano’s early attacks and Raven Gonzales’ inside finishes. Pangasinan tried to keep pace through Allyn Bulanadi’s timely buckets but trailed, 17–25.

Vic Manuel carried the fight for the Heatwaves in the second with his reliable post moves, but Serrano again steadied the Weavers with fearless drives to preserve a 43–36 halftime cushion.

Pangasinan mounted a brief uprising in the third as Hesed Gabo and Bong Galanza drilled back-to-back triples to cut the deficit to 41–43. But Abra answered with a crippling nine-point barrage, highlighted by Dave Ildefonso’s breakaway slam and a deep pull-up three from Jason Brickman that widened the gap to 72–51.

Jay Collado tried to spark one last push with a 10-point burst in the fourth, but Abra’s torrid outside shooting—four more triples—shut the door for good as the Weavers marched to the MPBL National Finals.

Ildefonso led Abra with 18 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Gonzales with 16, Marwin Taywan with 13 and seven assists, and Serrano with 12.

Bulanadi posted 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists for Pangasinan, which ended its breakthrough season at 20-9 after toppling Ilagan, Nueva Ecija, and San Juan in its impressive playoff run. (Kim Gealogo)