Surging Terrafirma makes it 3 straight, downs Blackwater
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MANILA, Philippines—Terrafirma continued its winning run as it dropped Blackwater, 96-84, for its third straight victory in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Tied at 65 at the end of the third, the Dyip stepped on the gas pedal and outscored the Bossing 31-19 in the final quarter en route to a 3-4 card.
Juami Tiongson’s layup capped off a 20-4 run that put Terrafirma ahead 91-73 with 3:14 left effectively burying the Bossing who are now wallowing with a 0-7 record.
Terrafirma head coach Johnedel Cardel, in a surprising move, decided to have Tiongson come off the bench against the Bossing as he figured his hot-shooting guard was a marked man following the offensive outbursts against San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra.
“Juami is a marked man now,” said Cardel of Tiongson, who averaged 29.5 points against the Beermen and Gin Kings.
Stepping in for Tiongson’s starting spot was Reden Celda, who finished with 15 points, on 3-of-5 shooting from three, six rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. Tiongson had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.
“We can always try to get Juami open, if not Juami can get the ball and be the decoy. Now Celda had a great game so this is a big thing for us.”
Aldrech Ramos led the Dyip’s offense with a game-high 17 points to go along nine rebounds while Andreas Cahilig did the dirty work finishing with 12-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Mike Tolomia had 14 points and five assists to lead Blackwater.
