JUAMI Tiongson has been cleared to play for Terrafirma in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup after sitting out most of the last conference due to injury.
Tiongson only played four games during the Governors’ Cup after suffering a partial tear in his hamstring, but he is now ready to go for the coming conference that is scheduled to open on November 27.
“Cleared to play na po ako. Nagpa-practice na po ako kasama ng team with no restrictions,” Tiongson told SPIN.ph.
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Tiongson averaged 9.5 points and 1.25 rebounds in the conference where he was coming off a PBA Season 48 Mythical Second Team selection. The Dyip visibly missed Tiongson as it could only garner a victory in the Governors’ Cup, leading to Johnedel Cardel's firing.
The 33-year-old Tiongson said it was difficult watching from the sidelines after a successful run in the Philippine Cup where Terrafirma reached the playoffs and took San Miguel to the distance in their quarterfinal.
It was also a period of adjustment for the Dyip after losing key players Stephen Holt and Javi Gomez de Liano. Holt, last season’s Rookie of the Year, was traded to Barangay Ginebra while Gomez de Liano opted to play in Korea.
“Mahirap po especially knowing struggling po kami as a team. Dami pong nawalang key players from the previous conference that made the playoffs so malaking adjustment po for everyone,” said Tiongson.
Despite another change with Raymond Tiongco now serving as the head coach replacing Johnedel Cardel, Tiongson said Terrafirma is moving on, ready to compete again, and hopefully make another run to the playoffs in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The Dyip will be playing with 6-foot-11 import Ryan Richards.
“The good thing about it is we can move on and look forward to this conference. Very excited po ako to be able to compete again and hopefully make a successful run this Commissioner’s Cup,” said Tiongson.
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