Terrafirma’s Javi Gomez de Liano during a game against Barangay Ginebra in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Javi Gomez de Liano knows that Terrafirma needs to do more to build on its massive upset of Barangay Ginebra and eventually clinch a rare quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Gomez de Liano was among the reasons why the Dyip picked up a 91-85 win over the Gin Kings in Sunday’s match at Ninoy Aquino Stadium to go 4-3 in the all-Filipino tournament, a record that has not been the norm for the league’s perennial cellar-dwellers.
“We can’t relax,” said Gomez de Liano, who finished with 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting with six rebounds. “Even though we got four wins already, we need to get at least two more to be safe.”
Things will be tougher for Terrafirma, with the next game set Wednesday against unbeaten San Miguel Beer, currently the perceived favorites to win it all given its loaded lineup and a 5-0 slate.
From there, Terrafirma plays Rain or Shine, NorthPort and Magnolia to conclude its elimination round assignment.
Teams that usually get at least six wins are virtually assured of quarterfinal spots, with some getting in by getting five, or even four victories at the end of the eliminations.
“We have to take it one game at a time, continue to play for each other and play for our coaches to get those wins,” he said.
Terrafirma has yet to make the playoffs since the 2016 Governors’ Cup and currently holds the longest drought in the league.
But things looked bright since the start of the tournament, with Gomez de Liano, Juami Tiongson and rookie Stephen Holt among those playing exceptionally for the Dyip.
“I guess we’re trusting each other more at this conference,” said Gomez de Liano. “Last year, we had a lot of rookies and it took time to adjust our chemistry to get better.
“Along the way, I really saw some improvements on one another.”