They were big question marks before the game, but De’Vondre Perry and Damien Chongqui delivered big exclamation marks for Macau when it mattered most. Playing through painful injuries that kept them on the sidelines for most of the week’s practices, the banged-up duo put on a masterclass in grit, combining for 63 points to spearhead a 96-92 come-from-behind victory over Terrafirma on Wednesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Perry tallied 34 points and 14 rebounds while Chongqui added 29 points in a performance that saved Macau’s postseason trajectory. Macau coach Marcus Elliott revealed after the game that both stars were game-time decisions due to nagging ailments. Chongqui was dealing with a deep thigh contusion, while Perry was battling pain in his shoulder and back.

“I don’t think they knew before the game what the situation was gonna be. They’re pretty much gametime decisions, see how their bodies felt,” Elliott said. “I just appreciate them being dogs, tough-minded and gritty and coming in there to help us get that win.”

Turning the Tide: The Third-Quarter Explosion

The victory did not come easily for Macau, which watched Terrafirma jump out to an early 37-22 lead in the first half. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third period as Terrafirma began to unravel under pressure.

Fueled by eight of Terrafirma’s 20 total turnovers, Macau went on a furious 24-8 run, transforming a 48-60 deficit into a 72-68 lead. The comeback spoiled strong individual statistical lines from Terrafirma, including Justin Strings’ 34 points and eight rebounds, Maverick Ahanmisi’s near-triple-double of 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, and Geo Chiu’s six points, 12 rebounds, and a season-high six blocks for a local.

With the game tied 92-all after Perry sank a short elbow jumper with 44.6 seconds remaining, the stage was set for a dramatic finish in the closing seconds.

Late-Game Chaos Seals Macau’s Clutch Victory

The final straw that broke the Dyip’s back came on a costly late-game turnover. Ahanmisi committed a dribbling error that Jenning Leung immediately translated into a steal, triggering a fast break with an outlet pass to Kobey Lam for a go-ahead layup to shatter the tie.

Although Lam missed the ensuing free throw on the potential three-point play, he chased down his own offensive rebound. That extra possession led to Chongqui being fouled and hitting two clutch free throws to stretch the lead to 96-92. Terrafirma had one last gasp, but Juami Tiongson’s hurried four-point attempt fell way short before the final buzzer.

The victory marks the second straight win for the Giant Pandas, moving them to a 2-4 record in a tie with the Dyip in Group B.

“We knew that this is one of the games that, if we’re gonna make the playoffs, we have to get,” Elliott noted. “So, this is big for our confidence, we got another week off before we play again and now it’s trying to keep ourselves fine-tuned until we see if we’re healthy.”