TERRAFIRMA pulled off a king-size upset in the PBA Philippine Cup, beating Barangay Ginebra, 91-85, for only the second time in franchise history at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Sunday.

The duo of Juami Tiongson and Javier Gomez De Liano provided the baskets that mattered most as they combined for 47 points in leading the Dyip’s victory over the Gin Kings.

Tiongson delivered 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, four assists and four rebounds in 37 minutes of action for coach Johnedel Cardel.

Gomez De Liano added a career-high 22 points, six rebounds and three blocks, for the Dyip, who posted only their second win over the Kings since joining the league in 2014.

Stephen Holt contributed a double-double of 12 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and Kemark Cariño chipped in with 12 points and five rebounds for Terrafirma.

PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon said Terrafirma duplicated its victory over Ginebra during the 2021 Philippine Cup bubble in Bacolor, Pampanga.

It was also Terrafirma’s second victory over Ginebra in 23 meetings overall.

“Gusto talagang manalo ng team. Very importante ang game, kasi kung matalo kami, mababaon kami,” said Cardel after the Dyips’ fourth win in seven matches.

Terrafirma’s fourth win also ties the record for the most number of wins by the team under the guidance of Cardel.

..Christian Standhardinger led Ginebra in scoring with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field and seven rebounds.

Standhardinger, however, didn’t see in action in the final quarter.

Japeth Aguilar added 18 points and five rebounds, while LA Tenorio contributed with 11 points and five assists for coach Tim Cone.

Jamie Malonzo tallied 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Dyip led, 64-61 after three quarters before Gomez De Liano hit back-to-back three-pointers and Holt added a lay-up to widen the advantage.

“It was a collective effort,” said Gomez De Liano

“Historically, bumibigay sa second half. In this game, we made sure, whoever are there on the floor, to make an impact and get the head start,” added Gomez De Liano in an interview posted at the official PBA website.

Cone was visibly frustated that he delegated the coaching responsibilites to deputy coach Richard del Rosario.

Earlier Sunday, Calvin Oftana came through with a game-high 26 points as TNT Tropang Giga escaped with a 92-90 victory over sister team Meralco Bolts.

Oftana went 9-of-16 from the floor to lead the balanced scoring attack of the Tropang Giga of Chot Reyes.

Veteran Jayson Castro added 15 points and six rebounds while Roger Pogoy, Kelly Williams and Henry Galinato Jr., contributed with 11 points each in TNT’s third win in six matches.

Williams also had 13 points.

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 2, Cu 2, Pinto 0, R. Aguilar 0.
Quarterscores: 24-17, 41-40, 64-61, 91-85.

Games Wednesday:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
4:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Terrafirma
6:15 p.m. — Magnolia vs. Northport