Terrafirma guard Juami Tiongson goes for a layup against Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Eager to turn its playoff hopes into reality, Terrafirma played with zest all of Sunday night to stun Barangay Ginebra, 91-85, in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Juami Tiongson had 25 points while Javi Gomez de Liaño 22 on a highly efficient shooting performance as the Dyip notched only their second victory over the crowd darlings throughout their 23 meetings in the league.
“Even in practice, they compete. You can see that this is really a different team. We have a big chance to get to where we want to, but we still have to work hard every day, every practice,” said Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel, whose charges rose to 4-3 to stay comfortably in the middle of the standings.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
“This conference, we trusted each other even more and started playing as a group,” added Gomez de Liaño, who was drafted by Ginebra and was immediately traded to the Dyip days before his rookie debut.
Terrafirma’s Javi Gomez de Liano. –PBA IMAGES
Rookies Stephen Holt and Kemark Cariño chipped in 12 points each for an impeccable showing against a traditional powerhouse that also sent the club back to the win column after fading to Meralco last Wednesday.
Barangay Ginebra drew 21 points from Christian Standhardinger, who sat out the final quarter. Japeth Aguilar had 18 points while LA Tenorio and Jamie Malonzo also finished with twin-digit scores.
The Gin Kings thus dropped to 3-3 in the race as the fancied squad’s struggles continued to persist at a time when it is missing star playmaker Scottie Thompson.
Terrafirma’s latest victory matches Cardel’s best record while calling the shots for the Dyip.
The Dyip will try to lock up on a spot in the quarterfinals when it battles San Miguel–a team it also beat before toppling Ginebra in that milestone win back in the 2021 Philippine Cup bubble held in Bacolor town, Pampanga.
The Scores:
TERRAFIRMA 91 – Tiongson 25, Gomez de Liano 22, Carino 12, Holt 12, Go 9, Sangalang 7, Cahilig 2, Alolino 2, Olivario 0, Calvo 0, Ramos 0
GINEBRA 85 – Standhardinger 21, J.Aguilar 18, Tenorio 11, Malonzo 10, Onwubere 9, Ahanmisi 6, Pessumal 6, Pringle 2Cu 2, Pinto 0, R. Aguilar 0
Quarterscores: 24-17, 41-40, 64-61, 91-85