ANTIPOLO – Juami Tiongson said Terrafirma learned a big lesson in their three losses, more so against San Miguel where an upset win looked to be in sight.
Tiongson had the game won for Terrafirma against his old club San Miguel when he knocked down a three to put the Dyip up, 104-101, in a July 18 game at the Ynares Center-Antipolo. But the comebacking Terrafirma guard made two crucial errors leading to George King lay-ups and San Miguel survived, 109-104.
Exactly a week after that loss, Tiongson and company made sure there won’t be a repeat against another formidable opponent in reigning champion TNT.
READ: Gutsy Terrafirma survives TNT in OT after blowing 18-point lead
Tiongson was clutch against TNT, draining two consecutive threes after Terrafirma trailed, 104-98. He also dished the assist to Joseph Eriobu for the go-ahead three, and the Dyip never looked back on their way to the 111-106 win over the Tropang 5G.
After seeing a lead that reached as high as 18 fizzle, Tiongson was determined not to commit another meltdown against TNT by taking over.
“Honestly, credit to my teammates, ‘yung tiwala na binigay nila sa akin,” Tiongson said.
“Whether I make mistakes or I miss my shots, talagang ‘yung encouragement nila at ‘yung kumpiyansa nila sa akin, sobrang laking bagay especially after our last game against San Miguel.”
“‘Yung two crucial turnovers ko, honestly, gusto ko lang mag-make up from that costly turnovers,” he added.
Tiongson had 24 points on 5-of-7 from three-point range on Saturday to bring his average for the conference through five games to 25 points while shooting 47 percent from three-point range.
With the heroics of the former PBA Mythical Second Team member, the Dyip got back on track, taking possession of fourth place in Group A with a 2-3 win-loss record at the conclusion of their first round in the double round-robin format eliminations with the top four in each of the groups advancing to the quarterfinals.
“Laking bagay sobra just to boost our confidence,” Tiongson said on the huge win. “Honestly, ang laking bagay rin na we weren’t down coming into the fourth quarter. We stayed with it, ‘yung encouragement namin sa isa’t isa, nandoon parati.”
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