PBA: Juami Tiongson helps Terrafirma get back on track despite cold shooting

Juami Tiongson. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Terrafirma guard Juami Tiongson tallied a team-high 15 points but needed 15 shots on just 33 percent conversion from the field in the Dyip’s 85-72 win over San Miguel Beer in the PBA On Tour at San Juan Arena on Sunday.

Despite his shooting woes, Tiongson remained Terrafirma’s focal point on offense.

“I’m not really worried. I told Juami, he’ll really be the one we’ll look for [on offense]. Of course, the opponents’ plan would be to stop him and it would make it hard for us to get the win,” coach Johnedel Cardel said in Filipino.

“We talked to Juami. We told him, be a threat, be a leader, make stops, (drop) assists, and that’s exactly what happened. Even though he only had 15 points, which is rare, his other stats improved.”

The Ateneo product more than made up for his cold shooting by dropping six assists. He also had three steals.

Cardel also had another guard in Ed Daquioag, who picked up the offensive slack.

Daquioag, who is still adjusting after coming off an injury, provided significant contributions for Terrafirma.

“Ed’s still adjusting but his speed for the game really improved compared to before. In the last conference, we saw that he was really adjusting but in this pocket tournament, he’s pretty much 80-85 percent back completely,” Cardel said.

Daquioag finished with 13 points on an efficient 57 percent clip, converting four of his seven attempts from the field, including two baskets from rainbow country.

The former University of Santo Tomas star and Tiongson have formed a deadly combo in the preseason and it did not come off as a surprise for Cardel.

“Ed’s really one of my veterans, he’s one of the players who really thinks so we need him to step up.”

The Dyip will wrap up their preseason campaign on July 26 against the Magnolia Hotshots, who are currently undefeated.