Terrafirma joined the ‘upset party’ in PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup games at the Ynares Center-Antipolo and in doing so, ended an 11-game skid dating back to the previous conference.
Taking the cue from the reversal-filled doubleheader in this very arena four days before, the Dyip derailed a Robert Bolick-less NLEX, 97-91, to improve to 1-1 last night.
Terrafirma put new coach Ronald Tubid in the win column after Friday’s 87-107 loss to Blackwater and posted its first W since a 97-85 disposal of Phoenix at the start of the Season 49 All-Filipino last April 4.
The Dyip gave the Road Warriors (1-1) a dose of their own medicine after their takedown of defending champion San Miguel Beer, 85-84, last Oct. 8, which actually capped a day of stunners at Ynares Antipolo touched off by new franchise Titan Ultra’s shocking dispatching of Meralco, 100-96.
‘Lagi naming sinasabi sa mga bata, although we’re undersized, as long as we compete, may chance tayong manalo,’ said Tubid in his first appearance at the post-game presscon for the winning coach and best player.
Rookie JM Bravo led the Dyip’s all-out effort with 18 points on a 6-of-15 shooting to go with eight rebounds. Jerrick Ahanmisi (14), Paolo Hernandez (13-7), Didat Hanapi (13), Louie Sangalang (11-7) and Mark Nonoy (13 boards) were also solid in the pullaround.
‘Medyo over-eager mga bata nung first game namin,’ noted Tubid. ‘Good thing, nag-respond sila agad at naka-bounce back kami at hindi mabaon sa second game na ito.’