DYIP OUTLAST ROAD WARRIORS
With Javi Gomez De Liano and Stephen Holt both putting up career-best performances, it was Aldrech Ramos who emerged as the biggest hero for Terrafirma by scoring the go-ahead basket with 3.7 seconds left to pull off a nail-biting 113-112 escape over NLEX in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Nov. 18.
Tied at 111-all, the veteran forward collared a huge rebound off a Holt miss and scored on a clutch putback to push the Dyip back on the driver’s seat and notch their second straight win in three outings.
Still, Terrafirma had to hold its breath until the final second as NLEX import Thomas Robinson was sent to the foul line in the Road Warrior's final possession following a foul called on Andreas Cahilig with 1.3 seconds left.
The NBA veteran, scoring on his will all-game long against the Dyip defense, however, botched the second of his two freethrows allowing Terrafirma to come away with the win.
Ramos only had four points, but it was the loudest points in the contest that was highlighted by several big scoring performances.
Gomez De Liano, sustained what is appearing to be a breakout season for him, erupted for 31 points built on four triples to keep the Dyip within striking distance in the first three quarters.
Holt, who also broke out of his shooting slump, finished with 21 points including a personal 5-0 run that gave Terrafirma a 110-102 lead.
NLEX, though, refused to go down without a fight, unloading a last ditch 9-1 rally to suddenly tie the game at 111-all with 10 seconds remaining.
That, however, only set the table for Ramos’ heroics as Robinson saw his 40-point showing go down the drain with a huge free throw miss in the waning seconds.
Isaac Go also came up big for Terrafirma with 17 points off the bench while import Thomas De Thaey was steady with a double-double of 23 points and 16 rebounds.
Don Trollano provided support to Robinson with 17 points, picking up the slack from the absence of star guard Kevin Alas, who went down with an apparent knee injury while driving hard to the basket at the 11:11 mark of the second quarter.
Kris Rosales, the hero of NLEX’S comeback against San Miguel, also tried to rally his team once again, finishing with 13 points to no avail as the Road Warriors slid to a 1-2 record.
The scores:
TERRAFIRMA 113 – Gomez de Liano 31, De Thaey 23, Holt 21, Go 17, Tiongson 14, Ramos 4, Carino 3, Camson 0, Daquioag 0, Olivario 0, Alolino 0, Cahilig 0.
NLEX 112 – Robinson 40, Trollano 19, Rosales 13, Anthony 10, Miranda 10, Rodger 8, Herndon 7, Nieto 3, Semerad 2, Marcelo 0, Alas 0.
Quarters: 22-31, 51-53, 81-79, 113-112.