Defensive-minded Terrafirma Dyip kicked off their 49th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup campaign with a solid victory, holding off the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 95-87, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.
Head coach Raymund Tiongco credited the team’s disciplined play in the third quarter, which allowed them to pull away and secure their first win of the tournament.
“Our players stayed committed to our defensive schemes. We executed well,” said Tiongco.
The Dyip’s latest triumph marks their second consecutive win, following a 117-108 upset of eventual Commissioner’s Cup champions TNT Tropang Giga in the elimination round.
Leading 49-43 at halftime, Terrafirma turned to Terrence Romeo’s hot hand in the third quarter. Romeo erupted for 14 of his 17 points in that stretch, helping the Dyip build a commanding 79-59 lead heading into the final period.
“There were some lapses, but we adjusted quickly,” Tiongco added.
Mark Louie Sangalang spearheaded the Dyip’s offense with 21 points and eight rebounds, while their defense stifled Phoenix, limiting them to just seven points in the last six minutes of the third quarter. This defensive stand allowed Terrafirma to establish a 20-point cushion early in the second half.
Despite a stellar 30-point performance from Phoenix’s Kai Ballungay, including 19 in the fourth quarter, the Dyip maintained control. Romeo’s clutch three-pointer with 2:41 left ensured Terrafirma stayed in command with a comfortable 92-79 advantage.
With this momentum-building win, the Dyip aim to sustain their strong start in the tournament.