CHICAGO - After trading five of its top assets plus a No. 3 draft pick over the last four months, the mess Terrafirma created played out at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday night.
The Dyip opened their PBA Commissioner's Cup campaign with an embarrassing 29-point blowout loss at the hands of the Converge FiberXers.
Orphaned by Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig, what's left at Terrafirma is the skeletal remains of what once was, albeit briefly, a playoff team. They looked disjointed and disorganized.
READ All's not well between Standhardinger and Terrafirma?
If you're into gory, morbid details, here's the statistical autopsy.
Terrafirma made only 36 of 86 field goals (34.9 percent) including just 5-of-32 from 3-point distance (15.6 percent). The Dyip got outrebounded 70-35 (not a typo!!) and managed only 17 assists against the 28 by Converge.
NO SHOWS
New acquisitions Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel didn't suit up. So did Christian Standhardinger, who, as SPIN.ph has reported, is no longer practicing with the team. Had they played, the margin of victory would have changed but not the final result.
Taking advantage of the no height limit for imports, the Dyip brought in 6-foot-11 Ryan Richards. Unfortunately, the former 2010 NBA draftee seems to have very limited talent, missing 11 of 16 shots to finish with a harmless 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Despite having committed only one foul, Richards played for just 28 minutes and 38 seconds and was outscored by four teammates. The tallest man on the floor, he had zero blocks and was an afterthought on offense where he dished a tepid two assists.
All of the above are clues that suggest Richards is, to put it nicely, wanting. But then again, bad organizations make poor decisions all around, including the choice of reinforcements.
Converge, meanwhile, looked every bit like a contender.
QUICK KNOCKOUT
The FiberXers swished 51.8 percent of their field goals (43 of 83) and 43.8 percent of their threes (14 of 32). They punched hard early, taking a 34-16 lead after one quarter and coasted the rest of the way.
Converge import Cheick Diallo, whose resume is highlighted by 183 NBA games played, had a quiet but effective 25 points and 16 rebounds. He hit an astounding 11 of his 13 shots while carding two assists and a block.
Jordan Heading, whose rights Terrafirma previously owned, gave the Dyip a flat tire with an all-around effort of eight points, four rebounds and six assists.
"Hahaha, no extra sauce," Heading told me via text message when I asked him if he had extra motivation playing against the team that foolishly sat on his rights for over four years.
But he clearly is elated to not be part of a loser franchise.
"Glad that we got the W but we got a lot of improvements that need to be made. The chemistry will come with time, I'm sure," said the affable Fil-Australian.
Tonight's 29-point massacre was not surprising. Converge is building for a championship run. Terrafiirma is always downsizing.
By continuing to aid rich teams, unknowingly or just stupidly, via lopsided trades, the Dyip are committing a felony against fun and a crime against parity in the PBA.
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