CHICAGO - What do you call those pair of clutch back-to-back 3s which allowed Terrafirma to pry victory from the jaws of defeat?
A double Juami.
As in Juami Tiongson.
With Terrafirma down 104-98 at the 2:20 mark of overtime, the feisty guard drilled two straight 3s that became the impetus of a stunning 111-106 comeback win over TNT in the PBA 50th Season Governors' Cup.
READ Juami makes up for blunders vs. SMB with clutch game against TNT
Having already squandered an 18-point lead in regulation, not only did Tiongson’s heroics avert a demoralizing total collapse, it rescued Terrafirma from falling in the quicksand.
RUNAWAY DYIP.
So instead of dropping to a 1-4 record to start the season-ending conference, the Dyip improved to 2-3 alongside their victims.
While Juami, who finished with 24 points, was the rally ring leader, he had a small crew helping with the heavy lifting.
Terrafirma import Justine Strings had 36 points and 12 rebounds while Maverick Ahanmisi carded 20 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Ronald Tubid also deserves a ton of credit for commanding the Dyip huddle and keeping his troops calm in the welter of TNT’s overtime siege.
Despite missing the services of five key players, the Tropang 5G put on a mighty resistance behind the 29 points from Jordan Heading and Roger Pogoy’s 23.
STINGING LOSS.
Darius Days only had 10 points, a monumental letdown that is sure to spark questions about his tenure as TNT's import.
While I understand how hard it is for Days to fill in and walk on the shoes of resident reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 10 points are baby steps.
Unacceptable.
But the bigger story on Saturday night at the Ynares Center was the grit Terrafirma showed in the face of almost certain defeat.
Who knew?
But hey, even a broken clock gives the right time twice a day.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
