MANILA – Terrafirma Dyip took down another “giant” as it stunned defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 95-90, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Juan Miguel Tiongson torched the opposition with nine triples on his way to a career-high 31 points, to go with six assists, three steals and two rebounds as the Dyip moved up to 2-4 win-loss slate.
Eric Camson had double-double 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Aldrech Ramos and Rashawn McCarthy contributed 11 and 10, respectively, for the Dyip, which also stunned powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, 110-104, last Wednesday.
The Dyip were on point to start the game as they surged to a 16-8 start on three-pointers by Tiongson and Aklanon Andreas Cahilig. The Kings rallied to take a 42-38 edge but inside hits by Camson gave Terrafirma a 51-46 halftime edge.
The Dyip went on with its rampage in the third quarter on three-pointers by Tiongson as the lead swelled to its largest at 72-55 on a Reden Celda trey. The Kings answered with a run to cut the deficit to 65-73 on conversions by Mer Jesper Ayaay.
Terrafirma opened the fourth with baskets from Tiongson and Ramos for an 88-74 lead. Ginebra rallied back to trim the deficit to 85-88 but a triple by McCarthy, a two-pointer by Camson and free throws by Tiongson sealed the upset win for Dyip.
“I want to credit my players. Everyone who played here, gusto nila manalo, they worked hard. They played as a team. I give credit to all my coaches. They really worked hard,” said Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel.
Christian Standhardinger top-scored with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio added 16 and 14 points, respectively, as the Kings slumped to 2-4 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, TNT Tropang GIGA solidified its hold of the top spot after a 91-76 domination of sister team Meralco Bolts to remain undefeated after five games. The Bolts dropped to 5-2 record.
Rookie Mikey Williams spearheaded the Tropang GIGA with career-high 27 points, including five triples, while Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro added 20 and 14 points, respectively.
Magnolia Hotshots (5-1) vented its ire on Blackwater Bossing (0-6) with a 94-78 manhandling in the first game. Andy Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang led the Hotshots’ triumph with 16 markers apiece.
BOX SCORE:
TERRAFIRMA 95 – Tiongson 31, Camson 15, Ramos 11, McCarthy 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Cahilig 5, Celda 5, Gabayni 5, Laput 2, Calvo 2, Batiller 2.
GINEBRA 90 – Standhardinger 17, J. Aguilar 16, Tenorio 14, Caperal 11, Pringle 11, Ayaay 5, Mariano 2, Salado 2, Dillinger 0, Tolentino 0, Enriquez 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
22-23, 51-46, 65-78, 95-90./PN
