JUAMI SAVES DAY FOR TERRAFIRMA
Games today (Ynares Center, Antipolo) 3 p.m. – Phoenix vs Rain or Shine 6:15 p.m. – San Miguel vs TNT
Like a diesel engine, Juami Tiongson and Terrafirma took some time to get going against Blackwater. But when they did, the Dyip proved unstoppable for the fading Bossing.
Tiongson knocked down a booming step-back triple with 12.5 seconds left to lift the Dyip past the Bossing, 92-91, and wheel back on the track in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Tiongson’s winner from long range completed Terrafirma’s spirited rally from as many as 19 points and put an end to a two-game skid for an improved 3-2. They tied their victims, who have now lost two straight after a 3-0 start.
“Buti na lang malapit kami sa Itaas,” Dyip coach John Cardel said upon entering the pressroom of the 90-yearold venue that had hosted some of the greatest games and the greatest names in Philippine basketball.
It initially looked like a lost cause as Tiongson and Co. struggled offensively and defensively, allowing Blackwater to seize a 59-40 lead early in the third.
But the Dyip persevered and managed to get to within manageable levels, 7377, after outplaying the Bossing in the penultimate period, 35-23. Then they survived a wild ending. Rey Nambatac made it a 91-89 cushion for Blackwater by making the front end of his free throw with 22.1 seconds left. But he missed the second and Drei Cahilig retrieved possession for Terrafirma, leading to Tiongson’s go-ahead trey.
RK Ilagan tried to steal it for the Bossing but his three-point heave missed the mark.
“We’re just lucky kasi nag-mintis ng free throw si Nambatac, we got the ball then Juami made the shot,” said Cardel.
Tiongson, who had 20 to backstop Stephen Holt’s 21, shared that he initially thought he just tied the game up.
“Akala ko down three kami, that’s why I took the three-point shot,” he said. To which Cardel replied: “Good shot.” Later, debuting Magnolia quickly flexed its muscles in a 106-75 annihilation of winless Converge (0-5).
Ian Sangalang, with 17, and Jio Jalalon, with 14 markers, seven assists and five steals, showed the way for the Hotshots. The scores: First Game Terrafirma 92 – Holt 21, Tiongson 20, Go 17, Sangalang 8, Alolino 6, Gomez de Liaño 6, Carino 5, Camson 4, Cahilig 3, Ramos 2, Calvo 0
Blackwater 91 – Rosario 23, Ilagan 15, Suerte 12, Guinto 10, David 9, Nambatac 9, Tungcab 6, Hill 4, Yap 3, Escoto 0, Casio 0, Kwekuteye 0 Quarterscores: 21-25, 38-54, 73-77, 92-91 Second Game Magnolia 106 – Sangalang 17, Jalalon 14, Abueva 14, Barroca 12, Ahanmisi 9, Dela Rosa 8, Tratter 8, Lee 7, Laput 6, Escoto 4, Eriobu 3, Corpus 2, Dionisio 2, Mendoza 0
Converge 75 – Arana 17, Stockton 15, Santos 13, Caralipio 8, Winston 8, Delos Santos 6, Maagdenberg 3, Nieto 2, Fornilos 2, Balanza 1, Fleming 0, Andrade 0, Melecio 0, Ambohot 0, Zaldivar 0
Quarterscores: 24-20, 53-39, 79-59, 106-75