Terrafirma stifles SMB for huge PBA on Tour win

Juami Tiongson helped Terrafirma close out SMB. PBA Images

By John Rhey Piamonte

SAN JUAN, MM--Reeling from three-straight losses, Terrafirma Dyip rode on a superb late-game surge to stun San Miguel Beermen and get back in the winning lane in the 2023 PBA On Tour on Sunday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

A crucial trey from guard Juami Tiongson sparked the 8-0 run that propelled Terrafirma to a 77-66 lead late in the fourth. 

Fellow guard Ed Daquioag sealed the deal with his own version of a triple, extending their lead to an 80-69 cushion with 1:18 left to play.

Tiongson topped the scoring chart for Terrafirma as he finished with 15 points, six assists, and three steals while Daquioag added 13 markers.

Both teams struggled offensively in the opening minutes of the match but San Miguel then turned on the heat with Rodney Brondial leading the charge for a 37-31 cushion.

Terrafirma answered back with a 6-0 bomb on their own to finish the half strong off John Paul Calvo's back-to-back makes. 

The John Cardel-led squad turned on the jets in the second half fazing San Miguel's game with a string of key defensive plays that led to 10 third-quarter fast break points. 

Terrafirma ended the game with 24 points off San Miguel's turnovers. 

"Sinabihan namin sila heading into the dugout na we need to have a good start in the second half. We need to take advantage of our bigs and our shooters. Good thing that it translated naman," Cardel said on the post-game conference.

Brondial continued his impressive showing in the pocket tournament after another double-double performance, bagging 19 points alongside 17 rebounds for the Beermen.

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