TERRAFIRMA Dyip made it two wins in a row following a nail-biting 113-112 escape over the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Javier Gomez De Liano led the balanced scoring attack for Terrafirma with a career-high 31 points, shooting 10-of-15 from the field. He also contributed five rebounds, two steals, and two assists in 37 minutes of play.

Import Thomas De Thaey delivered a double-double performance with 23 points and 16 rebounds in 40 minutes, while rookie Stephen Holt contributed 21points, six rebounds, and six assists for Terrafirma of coach Johnedel Cardel.

Isaac Go added 17 points and four rebounds, and Juami Tiongson chipped in with 14 points, six assists, and three rebounds for the Dyip.

“They really wanted to win this game going to the big team, TNT (on Nov. 22),” said Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel.

“Sinuwerte kami, na-miss ‘yung huli,” added Cardel. “Credit to NLEX dahil malakas talaga iyung lineup nila. They have a good strong import and we’re just lucky we got this win.”

With the loss, NLEX failed to win back-to-back games as it dropped to a 1-2 record.

Thomas Robinson led the Road Warriors with an impressive 40 points on 17-of-25 shooting, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.

Don Trollano contributed 19 points and six rebounds under coach Frankie Lim.

Kris Rosales had 13 points, and Sean Anthony and Michael Miranda each contributed 10 points in the losing effort.

When De Thaey’s layup extended Terrafurma’s lead to 10 points at 103-93, NLEX responded with a 7-0 run, narrowing the deficit to three at 100-103 with 2:58 remaining in the game.

Go increased the Dyip’s lead to five points, but Robinson sank two free throws to again cut the deficit to three.

However, Holt scored five crucial points, giving Terrafirma an eight-point advantage at 110-102 with 1:28 remaining.

Anthony’s layup and Trollano’s two crucial free throws cut the deficit to four with 44 seconds left.

Subsequently, Anthony fouled Go, who split his free throws, bringing the score to 111-106 with 30 seconds remaining on the clock.

Rosales attempted a three-point shot, and Javier Gomez De Liano fouled him with 27 seconds remaining.Rosales made all three free throws, bringing NLEX to within two points at 109-111.

Robinson made a crucial layup to tie the game with 10 seconds left, capitalizing on a steal from Go’s bad pass. Although Holt missed a layup, Aldrich Ramos secured the offensive rebound, giving TerraFirma a lead 113-111 with three seconds remaining.

Robinson was fouled by Andreas Cahilig with one seconds left, and he made a split free throw as Terrafirma held off NLEX.

The scores:

Terrafirma (113) – Gomez de Liano 31, De Thaey 23, Holt 21, Go 17, Tiongson 14, Ramos 4, Carino 3, Camson 0, Daquioag 0, Olivario 0, Alolino 0, Cahilig 0.
NLEX (112) – Robinson 40, Trollano 19, Rosales 13, Anthony 10, Miranda 10, Rodger 8, Herndon 7, Nieto 3, Semerad 2, Marcelo 0, Alas 0.
Quarterscores: 22-31, 51-53, 81-79, 113-112.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya