Terrafirma edges NLEX in PBA as Calvo shines
MANILA – Negrense John Paul Calvo made his presence felt in the fourth quarter as Terrafirma Dyip cruised to a come- from- behind 9995 victory over NLEX Road Warriors in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After being down by as much as 13 points, the Dyip slowly carved their way back in the contest in the second half until they took an 86-84 lead on a three-pointer and a split free throw by Calvo with six minutes left.
The Road Warriors reclaimed the lead at 87-86 on a three-pointer by Robert Bolick Jr., but free throws by Calvo and connections from Stephen Holt, Mark Sangalang, and Aldrech Ramos gave the Dyip a 95-91 advantage.
NLEX still tried to come close behind free throws by Bolick and an inside hit by Dave Marcelo, but Terrafirma answered with free throws from George Isaac Go and Calvo to seal the win.
Calvo finished the game with 16 points, with eight coming in the fourth quarter, to go with four rebounds, one assist, and a steal as the Dyip moved to a share of top spot with 2-0 win-loss slate.
Juan Miguel Tiongson led the way for Terrafirma with 21 points, including two threepointers, Javi Gomez de Liano chipped in 18 markers off the bench, while Holt ended with 17 points to earn his second consecutive Player of the Game honors.
“I told them na third quarter we have to start good, especially dun sa depensa, so we really pushed them para maging effective ‘yung depensa namin kasi NLEX easily scored on us nung first half,” said Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel.
“Every game kailangan manalo kami, ayaw namin isipin na may two wins na kami
kasi baka mag- relax, so every game 1-0 ng 1-0 ang iniisip namin hanggang marating ‘ yung goal namin na quarterfinals,” he added.
Bolick finished with 29 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, while Negrense Jhan Nermal added 15 markers for the Road Warriors, which dropped to 1-1 after failing to score a follow-up to their 107-100 win over NorthPort Batang Pier last Friday.
On Saturday night, Kier John Quinto drilled seven of his 16 points total in overtime as Meralco Bolts scored a tight 121117 victory over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to move up to 1-1. The Painters dropped to 0-2./ PN
BOX SCORE:
TERRAFIRMA 99 – Tiongson 21, Gomez de Liano 18, Holt 17, Calvo 16, Alolino 9, Sangalang 8, Go 7, Ramos 3, Camson 0, Cahilig 0, Mina 0.
NLEX 95 – Bolick 29, Nermal 15, Valdez 9, Miranda 7, Ular 7, Anthony 6, Semerad 6, Nieto 6, Pascual 4, Marcelo 4, Herndon 2.
Quarterscores: 21-26, 47-57, 70-73, 99-95.