Terrafirma's Redemption Rout Keeps PBA Playoff Hopes Alive

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ANTIPOLO — Terrafirma answered a humbling loss in historic fashion, blasting Macau, 146-127, on Saturday, October 10, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center. The Dyip rewrote their franchise record book and kept their playoff hopes alive.

Juami Tiongson led the way with 30 points as Terrafirma improved to 4-6 in Group A. The win came after a 96-112 loss to TNT last Wednesday, and the Dyip responded with their best offensive showing ever.

Juami Tiongson scored 30 points to lead Terrafirma past Macau and keep the Dyip in contention for a PBA Governors' Cup playoff berth. [PBA Images] — Juami Tiongson scored 30 points to lead Terrafirma past Macau and keep the Dyip in contention for a PBA Governors’ Cup playoff berth. [PBA Images]

Terrafirma Dyip Smash Franchise Records in PBA Governors’ Cup

The Dyip set new franchise highs in points in a game, a quarter (42), a half (77) and three quarters (115). The surge started in the opening quarter and was sustained for practically the entire game.

Justin Strings finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds. Rookie JM Bravo added a personal season-high 22 points off the bench, while fellow rookie Geo Chiu also bounced back from the TNT loss.

Veteran Maverick Ahanmisi scored only six points but hauled down a career-high-tying 12 rebounds. He also dished out a personal-best 14 assists to power the Dyip’s ball movement.

The performance also erased some of the displeasure of coach Ronald Tubid. “‘Yung loss namin to TNT, hindi kami iyon, eh. We always compete. ‘Yung ano namin sa team, as long as we keep competing, we’ll have a chance to win,” Tubid said.

“Basta sabi namin, keep on competing and do kung ano napag-usapang gawin. So, credit to the boys,” he added. Terrafirma’s players made good on that message from the opening quarter.

Macau Eliminated From PBA Playoff Race Despite Oscar Lopez Jr.’s Monster Game

The loss, Macau’s eighth in 10 Group A games, officially eliminated the Giant Pandas from playoff contention. Replacement import Oscar Lopez Jr. posted 41 points and 26 rebounds in only his second game.

Kobey Lam threw in 37 points, and returnee Chon Pong Lao contributed a conference-high 20. Even with that firepower, Macau could not stem the Terrafirma surge.

Terrafirma faces San Miguel Beer on Wednesday and wraps up the group stage against Titan Ultra three days later. Tubid wants his players to keep the same mindset, wherever they end up.

“Still one game at a time. As long as may mga games pa we need to keep on competing lang,” Tubid stressed. The Dyip will need that approach to stay in the playoff hunt.