Terrafirma stunned NLEX, 97-91, to hand rookie coach Ronald Tubid his first victory in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at Ynares Center here.
The Dyip drew a big performance from neophyte JM Bravo, the sixth-round pick in last month’s Draft, as he fired 18 points with eight rebounds to help deny the Road Warriors a 2-0 start in the all-Filipino tournament. Both teams now hold identical 1-1 slates, with Terrafirma bouncing back from Friday’s 107-87 defeat at the hands of Blackwater.
Bravo sparked the Dyip’s third quarter runaway and led by double figures before weathering the Road Warriors comeback in the final minutes.
Jerrick Ahanmisi’s layup off Xyrus Torres gave Terrafirma a breather at 95-91 with 37.1 seconds left, after the lead shrank to two behind JB Bahio. Ahanmisi added 14 in his second game since being acquired by Terrafirma from Magnolia in the offseason. Bahio and Torres had 14 points apiece, the former grabbing 11 boards, for the Road Warriors, who are still without Robert Bolick as he continues to mourn the passing of his father in the United States.
Next up for Terrafirma is against Converge on Oct. 22 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, while NLEX plays Phoenix on the same playdate.