TERRAFIRMA finally secured a victory in the PBA Philippine Cup bubble after defeating Blackwater, 110-101, on Friday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center.
The Dyip leaned on CJ Perez, Roosevelt Adams, and Juami Tiongson as they kept their quarterfinal hopes alive by holding off the Elite for a 1-7 win-loss card.
While Perez and Tiongson had their usual offensive outputs, Adams finally showed why he was Terrafirma’s top overall pick in the draft last year with a double-double performance that sent Blackwater to their fifth consecutive defeat.
Adams had career-highs of 20 points and 16 rebounds for the Dyip, who led by as many as 11 points and were able to hold off an Elite rally in the third.
Perez scored a team-high 27 points, while Tiongson added 19 points including key three-point baskets that helped the Dyip secure the victory.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, we have to step up. We always lose in the second half especially in the third quarter. Masama ang start namin sa third quarter but we caught up and got our composure,” said Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel.
“I want to credit my players. Even though we are 0-7, we’re still fighting. I told them I don’t want to go home with an 0-11. At least, makapanalo tayo para naman mawala ‘yung homesick,” said Cardel.
KG Canaleta had 22 of his 29 points in the second half to keep Blackwater, which entered the fourth with an 81-80 lead, in the game, but it was not enough as it fell to 2-6.
Perez and Tiongson saved Terrafirma from collapse. With the Dyip holding a precarious three-point lead, 100-97, Perez scored on back-to-back lay-ups and Tiongson drilled a triple to increase the lead to eight points.
Tiongson buried another triple with 1:15 left in the fourth to take a 108-101 lead.
The scores:
Terrafirma 110 – Perez 27, Adams 20, Tiongson 19, Calvo 11, Camson 11, Faundo 7, Ramos 5, Khobuntin 4, Celda 4, Cahilig 2, Agovida 0, Balagasay 0.
Blackwater 101 – Canaleta 29, Trollano 16, Sumang 15, Daquioag 12, Belo 10, Magat 8, Golla 4, Dennison 4, Tolomia 3, Dario 0, Escoto 0, Salem 0, Gabriel 0.
Quarters: 27-20; 54-45; 80-81; 110-101.
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