Terrafirma used a huge rally in the third quarter to claim its first win on the PBA On Tour, defeating TNT 104-92 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday.
Trailing by four points at the start of the third quarter, 38-42, the Dyip scored 42 points. They took an 80-67 advantage over the Tropang Giga going into the fourth quarter.
Terrafirma never looked back from there. Javi Gomez De Liaño and Gelo Alolino led a 14-0 run to start the fourth quarter, giving the Dyip a 28-point lead of 95-67 with 8:57 remaining in the game.
The Tropang Giga remained scoreless for the first three minutes and 23 seconds of the final quarter. Then Khobuntin broke the ice with a three-pointer at the 8:37 mark.
Jaydee Tungcab made two three-pointers in an 11-2 run, cutting the lead for TNT to 81-100. However, it was not enough, as Terrafirma secured its first win of the tournament.
“Nag-practice sila for three days na maganda yung inensayo nila. Then I told coach Mong (Tiongco) na concentrate naman kami sa depensa,” said Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel, who sat on the sidelines as assistant coach Raymund Tiongco called the shots.
“Kahit yung day before the game ‘di kami nagre-relax sa ensayo. Yung depensa pa rin ang pinatrabaho ko sa kanila,” he added.
Juami Tiongson led Terrafirma with 21 points, three assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Meanwhile, Ed Daquioag contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Isaac Go played his best game since returning from an ACL injury, scoring 15 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Andreas Cahilig added 11 points and nine boards as the Dyip improved their standing to 1-2.
Kevin Ferrer suffered an Achilles injury during the second quarter of the preseason game. He finished with seven points on 3-of-8 shooting, along with three rebounds and one assist.
Terrafirma will aim to secure a second consecutive win when they face Rain or Shine at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday at 5:00 PM.
Meanwhile, Khobuntin led the way for the Tropang Giga with 25 points on 64.3 percent shooting, accompanied by nine rebounds. Tungcab and Dave Marcelo scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, as TNT dropped to 0-2.
TNT will attempt to earn their first win against Magnolia on June 16 at 7:30 PM at the same Pasig venue.
The Scores:
Terrafirma 104 – Tiongson 21, Daquioag 16, Go 15, Cahilig 11, Mina 10, Ramos 8, Alolino 7, Ferrer 7, Gomez de Liano 5, Calvo 4, Alanes 0, Grospe 0
TNT 92 – Khobuntin 25, Tungcab 14, Marcelo 10, Cruz 9, Jopia 8, Varilla 6, Montalbo 6, Cuntapay 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Alfaro 2, Gallego 2
Quarterscores: 14-20, 38-42, 80-67, 104-92
