By REYNALD MAGALLON
Juami Tiongson and Javi Gomez de Liano connived as Terrafirma pulled the rug from under Ginebra, 91-85 to get its 2024 Philippine Cup bid back on track at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, April 7.
Tiongson and Gomez De Liano took turns in steering the Dyip particularly in the final frame to pull off a stunning upset of the Kings who prior to the contest they only defeated once in franchise history in their 22 meetings.
Not only that Terrafirma picked up its second win against Ginebra, it also already equaled its most games won under head coach Johndel Cardel after improving to a 4-3 record in the standings.
Tiongson fired away 29 points including two pressure-packed free throws that gave the Dyip a 91-79 lead – a cushion that proved to be enough to weather a late fightback from the Kings.
Gomez De Liano, who had his share of timely hits, finished with 22 points and six rebounds while leading a huge fourth quarter breakaway for Terrafirma.
Rookie Stephen Holt made his presence felt across the board with 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists – none more crucial than his cold-blooded trey that kept a 13-point lead, 89-76, for the Dyip in the fourth.
Kemark Cariño was the other rookie who introduced himself to the legion of Ginebra fans after also chipping in 12 points.
Meanwhile, Calvin Oftana delivered the big hits and RR Pogoy the much-needed defensive stops as TNT escaped with a 92-90 victory over Meralco to snap a two-game slide.
Cooling down after dropping 19 points in the first two quarters, Oftana was clutch in the waning minutes, scoring seven of the Tropang Giga’s last eight points before Pogoy came through with an equally crucial block on Aaron Black to preserve the win.
With the game hanging in the balance, Oftana scored two points from the foul line and a booming triple to shove TNT back in the lead for good, 89-87.
A Jayson Castro split from the foul line and two more free throws from Oftana built a five-point cushion for the Tropang Giga but Bong Quinto refused to wave the white flag for Meralco and retaliated with an and-1 play,
The Bolts completed a huge stop on the other end, allowing Aaron Black to go on a run only to be smothered by Pogoy’s defense who blocked the shot and left Meralco with 7.6 seconds left in the contest.
Meralco had one last shot in the end but Jolo Mendoza missed a last second three-point heave that could have won it for the Bolts.
Oftana led the way for TNT with 26 points, nine rebounds and three blocks while Castro provided support with 15 points and six rebounds.
Pogoy was one of the three Tropang Giga with 11 points along with big man Henry Galinato and Kelly Williams. The veteran Williams even had a double-double after also collaring 13 rebounds.
