STEPHEN Holt converted a game-winning lay-up with 3.1 seconds left to save the day for Terrafirma, which beat NorthPort, 110-108, on Wednesday in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Holt zigzagged past three NorthPort defenders before hitting the high-arching lay-up that snapped the Dyip’s two-game winning streak and improved their record to 5-5, giving them a legitimate shot at a very rare playoff spot.
The No. 1 overall draft pick's heroics came at the perfect time with Juami Tiongson, Terrafirma’s primary clutch player, not on the floor after being called for his sixth foul at the final 24.6-second mark.
Arvin Tolentino’s short stab was blocked by Kemark Carino in NorthPort’s final possession as the Batang Port suffered their fifth straight defeat in heartbreaking fashion and fell to 4-6, dimming their playoff hopes.
Terrafirma has now reached the five-win mark for the first time in Johnedel Cardel’s tenure as head coach, putting itself in position for only the second playoff appearance in the franchise's eight years in the league.
The Dyip also snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Batang Pier.
Holt finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals, while Tiongson had 21 points and six rebounds for the Dyip. Louie Sangalang added a career-high 19 points including 12 in the second half for Terrafirma.
“Effort lang talaga ng players and they want to improve,” said Cardel. “Sabi ko sa kanila, if we win against NorthPort, there’s a big chance of getting in the quarterfinals. But I know it’s hard.”
Tolentino had 25 points and seven rebounds off the bench including four free throws during a 6-0 burst that tied the game at 108-108.
The Dyip will conclude the eliminations against Magnolia on May 3 at the Philsports Arena, while the Batang Pier will face Blackwater on April 27 at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The scores:
Terrafirma 110 – Holt 22, Tiongson 21, Sangalang 19, Gomez de Liano 14, Go 10, Carino 9, Alolino 7, Cahilig 6, Ramos 2, Calvo 0, Camson 0.
NorthPort 108 – Tolentino 25, Flores 18, Navarro 17, Bulanadi 14, Zamar 10, Lucero 9, Munzon 7, Chan 5, Paraiso 3, Yu 0, Rosales 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarters: 27-22; 54-55; 88-78; 110-108.
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