By REYNALD MAGALLON
Modernize but no to phase out.
The Terrafirma Dyip seemed have finally found the core that could serve as the engine to more playoff drives in the future.
The next challenge is to keep it intact and run it back for the next season.
That was also the fervent wish of Terrafirma star Juami Tiongson after his team’s best performance in the Philippine Cup in franchise history came to an end with the 110-91 loss to the San Miguel in their do-or-die match.
Not only that Tiongson was hopeful to have the core back but he’s also looking forward to the team adding a few more pieces through the draft and free agency to sustain the splendid run even beyond this conference.
“Hopefully, we can add more pieces from the draft or sa free agency, hopefully we can run it back with the same group,” said Tiongson who finished with 18 points in the decider after exploding for 29 in Game 1.
With Tiongson leading the pack along with top rookie pick Stephen Holt, the Dyip had a breakout season where they finally notched more than four wins at the end of the eliminations – a feat they never did in the past few years.
On top of that, they won the do-or-die for the eighth spot against NorthPort before staving off elimination after recording its first franchise playoff win against the Beermen.
The two had a potent supporting cast during that stretch with Javi Gomez de Liano providing size and versatility at the wings, Isaac Go the outside shooting at the center position, Kemark Carino the defense inside the paint and the hustle and energy from Andreas Cahilig all over the floor.
Terrafirma has the history of giving away some of its former top picks and players in the future but Tiongson is hoping that Dyip keep the team that was once branded by head coach Johnedel Cardel as the best crew he had handled.
“Yung chemistry namin nandyan na, ‘yung veteran smarts nandyan na. Sobrang laking bagay ni Isaac Go the way he stepped up this conference. It’s true the way he improved his game the way he got better his confidence sobrang laking bagay,” said Tiongson also praising his big man for holding his own against seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo in the playoffs.
“To get us to this point malaking bagay na ito. We were able to achieve our goal to make the playoffs pero gusto ko rin sana mag semis eh to be a little greedy. Pero that’s why SMB is the champion the way they responded that’s how a champion team should respond,” he added.
