Javi Gomez de Liano helps Terrafirma slip past NorthPort and into the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES
Terrafirma ended its long search for a return trip to the quarterfinals and claimed the eighth and last seed Wednesday with a 104-96 victory over NorthPort in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Javi Gomez de Liano came through in the fourth quarter before Juami Tiongson and Stephen Holt delivered the knockout blows as the Dyip advanced to the playoffs for just the second time since the franchise entered the league in 2014.
It also snapped a 16-conference wait for a quarters berth which Terrafirma last did in the 2016 Governors’ Cup when it was still carrying the Mahindra banner.
READ: PBA: Louie Sangalang gives Terrafirma Dyip added option, hope
The reward the Dyip will get, however, is a date with the top seed and twice-to-beat San Miguel Beermen, hoping to do the unthinkable in their showdown on Saturday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
NorthPort, which led several times in the game, the last at 86-82 before Terrafirma made its run, was eliminated despite a bright start to the conference.
After winning four of the first five games, the Batang Pier dropped five straight before salvaging their campaign with a tight win over the Blackwater Bossing.
Gomez de Liano scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth as Terrafirma eventually took command.
READ: Improved Terrafirma Dyip poster boys of balance PBA has of late
Terrafirma only led 98-96 with less than two minutes to go when Tiongson and Holt each scored a three-point play creating more separation from NorthPort when it mattered.
Tiongson bucked an early slump to finish with 30 points while Holt had 18 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals.
Rookie Cade Flores finished with 16 points and Joshua Munzon put up 15 against his ex-team but main gunner Arvin Tolentino went 4-of-13 for just 13 points in NorthPort’s defeat.