PBA: Terrafirma edges NLEX for 2-0 start

Terrafirma rookie Stephen Holt against NLEX during the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Terrafirma is off to its best start since producing the franchise’s only playoff appearance after outlasting NLEX, 99-95, in a nip-and-tuck PBA Philippine Cup encounter Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Dyip needed some big performances from their key players led by rookie Stephen Holt to register their second straight victory in as many games, a rare sight for a team known as among the league’s bottom feeders.

It’s the first time that the Dyip went 2-0 to open a conference since the 2016 Governors’ Cup, when the then-Mahindra Enforcer started off with four consecutive victories to set the tone for their eventual entry to the quarterfinals.

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Coach Johnedel Cardel and his team are hoping to replicate that feat this conference.

Holt had 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in the win which came despite Terrafirma trailing by 13 in the first half.

Javi Gomez de Liano and JP Calvo added 18 and 16 points while the likes of Gelo Alolino, rookie banger Louie Sangalang and Isaac Go provided key contributions on both ends.

Juami Tiongson fired a team-high 21 points despite a 5-of-17 shooting and sitting a good portion of the fourth quarter for a Flagrant Foul 1 for an accidental elbow on Robert Bolick.

SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup 2024

They weathered a fiery offensive showing from Bolick, who for the second straight game finished with 29 points.

But the Road Warriors fell to 1-1 as they couldn’t capitalize on a pair of opportunities to tie things up late.

Sean Anthony missed an easy layup with NLEX down 95-93 with a minute to go, while Bolick turned the ball over a couple of possessions later while Terrafirma was up 97-95.

The scores:

TERRAFIRMA 99—Tiongson 21, Gomez de Liano 18, Holt 17, Calvo 16, Alolino 9, Go 7, Ramos 3. Cahilig 0, Camson 0, Mina 0.

NLEX 95—Bolick 29, Nermal 15, Valdez 9, Miranda 7, Ular 7, Anthony 6, Semerad 6, Nieto 6, Marcelo 4, Pascual 4, Herndon 2.

Quarters: 21-26, 47-57, 70-73, 99-95.