ANTIPOLO – Terrafirma coach Raymond Tiongco is confident the Dyip can finally play to their full potential next conference after ending a PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup campaign with a stunning win.
The Dyip closed the mid-season conference with a 117-108 upset of erstwhile leader TNT to avoid another winless campaign. That single win is reason enough for the Terrafirma coach to be optimistic about the Philippine Cup.
READ Terrafirma rides Mark Nonoy's 33 points to claim TNT scalp
Tiongco admitted the Dyip took a while to get its cohesion back after figuring in a trade with San Miguel just days into the Commissioner’s Cup, exchanging young guns Juami Tiongson and Drei Cahilig for Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel.
Talent-wise, Tiongco believes his team has the potential to do well especially with their young core and rookies that include Mark Nonoy, who ended his Commissioner’s Cup campaign by firing a career-high 33 points.
“May future naman. Matagal lang siguro kami magpe-prepare para maayos namin kaagad ‘yung chemstiry namin,” said Tiongco.
“Lapses lang naman lagi ‘yung sa duluhan. So hopefully, ‘yung mga rookies ko, mag-mature sila, makuha nila ‘yung mga roles sa team namin. Kasi we are good naman as a team. Nabuo kami almost one week na lang ng league. Biglang nagdatingan ‘yung mga trades. So ‘yung chemistry, wala pa,” said Tiongco.
“At least ngayon, nakita na namin. Madadala din namin ‘yung game namin sa next conference,” said Tiongco.
The Dyip shot the lights out by outscoring the Tropang Giga, 38-20, in a big third quarter capped by a buzzer-beating four-pointer by Mark Nonoy.
“At least, hanggang sa dulo, from first to fourth, nakuha ko na lalo na nung third quarter on how we shared the ball hanggang nakalamang kami ng 31. Magandang dadalhin ‘yun sa all-Filipino conference,” said Tiongco.
The rookie PBA coach said he is also leaning on a healthier Romeo come the next conference after a calf injury limited him to just two games this conference. Tiongco is also hoping Mabnuel will be much healthier in the Philippine Cup.
“Hopefully, maging healthy si Terrence saka si Vic. Kasi si Vic kanina, saglit ko lang nagamit. Hopefully, si Terrence mag-100 percent para sa all-Filipino. Malaking bagay para sa mga rookies ko, matutulungan sila ni Terrence,” said Tiongco.
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