MANILA – Terrafirma Dyip nearly squandered a double-digit lead before pulling off a 119-106 victory over Blackwater Bossing in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing their once 18-point lead cut to 85-86, the Dyip got timely conversions from Eric James Camson and reinforcement Jordan Williams to pull away anew at 104-97 on a drive by rookie Javi Gomez de Liano.
The Bossing made its last push at 101-104 but the Dyip got consecutive baskets from Williams and more inside connections from Camson for a 117-104 lead with under a minute left.
Williams finished with 57 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks, while Juan Miguel Tiongson and Camson added 27 and 17 markers, respectively, as the Dyip improved to 2-2.
Former NBA player Troy Williams made his debut with 55 points and 14 rebounds, Jvee Casio added 14 markers, while RK Ilagan and Renato Ular had 11 and 10, respectively, as the Bossing dropped to 1-4.
San Miguel Beermen, meanwhile, showed its steadiness in the endgame to defeat Meralco Bolts,, and solidify their hold of the top spot with 3-0 win-loss slate. Meralco dropped to 3-2.
Holding to a slim 83-80 lead late in the fourth quarter, the Beermen got back-to-back conversions from import Cameron Clark and hits from Jaymar Perez and Marcio Lassiter for a 92-83 lead.
The Bolts attempted to come close at 86-92 following three free throws from Allein Maliksi with 44 seconds remaining but another inside shot from Clark sealed the victory for the Beermen.
Clark finished with double-double 28 points and 15 rebounds, Perez and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz added 19 and 13 markers, respectively, while June Mar Fajardo had double-double 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Beermen.
On Wednesday night, rookie Jeremiah Gray drilled three outside conversions in less than two minutes as defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (2-0) scored a 114-111 win over NLEX Road Warriors (4-1).
Down 101-108, Gray scored back-to-back triples to pull the Gin Kings to within 107-108 before scoring another triple to surge his team ahead for good. Gray finished the game with 19 markers for Ginebra./PN
BOX SCORE:
TERRAFIRMA 119 – Williams 57, Tiongson 27, Camson 17, Cabagnot 5, Gomez de Liano 5, Cahilig 3, Daquioag 2, Calvo 2, Gabayni 1, Ramos 0, Alolino 0.
BLACKWATER 106 – Williams 55, Casio 14, Ilagan 11, Ular 10, Torralba 5, Banal 5, Sena 2, Rosario 2, Hill 2, Amer 0, Taha 0, Digregorio 0, McCarthy 0.
Quarterscores: 30-14, 53-46, 80-72, 119-106.
