Terrafirma upset NLEX, 97-91, for its first victory of Season 50 behind a well-balanced production by unfamiliar players who were grabbing the opportunity to make a name for themselves on Sunday in the Philippine Basketball Association.
Despite the threatening comeback by NLEX from 62-78 to 91-93 with 59 ticks to go, former Magnolia guard Jerrick Ahanmisi rescued the Dyip after making a layup with 37 seconds left before John Matthew Bravo sealed the deal with another layup.
It was Terrafirma’s first victory and rookie coach Ronald Tubid’s first ever triumph in his head coaching career after two games – a good bounce back win from an 87-107 loss to Blackwater last week.
Phoenix Super LPG, meanwhile, completed the Sunday upset at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City with an unlikely 109-103 win over reigning champion San Miguel Beer, 109-103, behind Ricci Rivero’s scoring prowess.
‘Everybody knows that this is a very young team. We fast track its preparations for almost a month. We relied on what we have and used our strong advantages . As long as we compete and fight, there is a chance to win,’ Tubid said.
Bravo, a 56th overall pick in this year’s draft, powered the Dyip with 18 points while Ahanmisi added 14 points with Paolo Hernandez and Didat Hanapi contributing 13 points each also for Terrafirma.
Louie Sangalang made 11 points and Mark Nonoy dished out 13 assists for Terrafirma.
The Road Warriors, after their close 85-84 victory over San Miguel Beer last week, fell to first defeat after two games.
Rivero, on the other hand, posted 16 points and seven rebounds while Tyler Tio and Kai Ballungay racked up 14 points apiece, and Jason Perkins had 13 points for the Fuel Masters, who improved their win-loss record to 1-1 after losing to TNT Tropang Giga, 78-93, last week.
SMB (0-2) dropped its first two games of the season conference.