PBA: Terrafirma escapes NLEX for 2-0 start

Terrafirma cruised to its best start in eight years after pulling off a 99-95 win against NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Juami Tiongson led the way for the Dyip, pouring in a team-high 21 points alongside three assists, two rebounds, and one steal as they improved to 2-0 card while the Road Warriors fell to 1-1. 

Javi Gomez de Liaño chipped in 18 markers off the bench while Stephen Holt and JP Calvo chimed in with 17 and 16 points apiece, giving the franchise its perfect start since the 2016 Governors’ Cup, where they also had a 2-0 start en route to a playoff appearance. 

Already up by two in the crucial moments, the Dyip had a big break when Sean Anthony missed an open layup that led to a pair of free throws for Isaac Go to hike their lead to four, 97-93, with 58 seconds left. in the game. 

Dave Marcelo would still complete a basket for NLEX, but Calvo sealed the win with two freebies following a number of lapses from the side of the Road Warriors. 

Robert Bolick paced NLEX with a team-high 29 points alongside eight assists, five rebounds, and one steal while Jhan Nermal collected 15 markers off the bench. 

Scores:

Terrafirma 99 – Tiongson 21, Gomez de Liano 18, Holt 17, Calvo 16, Alolino 9, Go 7, Ramos 3. Cahilig 0, Camson 0, Mina 0.

NLEX 95 – Bolick 29, Nermal 15, Valdez 9, Miranda 7, Ular 7, Anthony 6, Semerad 6, Nieto 6, Marcelo 4, Pascual 4, Herndon 2.

Quarters: 21-26, 47-57, 70-73, 99-95

—JKC, GMA Integrated News