Juami Tiongson came to Terrafirma's rescue in the last minute as the Dyip averted a near collapse in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Juami Tiongson and Stephen Holt teamed up for 57 points as Terrafirma thwarted Converge, 107-99, to open its campaign in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup with a win on Friday, March 1.
Tiongson starred in the Dyip's second quarter assault that gave them an early 50-27 lead then came through anew in the final minute to fend off the FiberXers' final threat.
Tiongson, who will make his first All-Star appearance later this month, finished with a team-high 30 points, the last four of which he poured in the final 39 seconds to halt Converge which tried to close in within six, 95-101, at the 1:51 mark of the fourth.
Holt also shone with a season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds. He also had four assists and five steals in an all-around game.
Isaac Go contributed 13 points, while Gelo Alolino and Javi Gomez De Liano added 10 each.
While his prized duo exploded on the offensive end, Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel thought defense was key in the franchise's first win against Converge.
Coming into this game, the Dyip were winless in four tries against the FiberXers, according to the league's chief statistician, Fidel Mangonon.
"Better thing doon is naayos namin ang depensa namin," said Cardel, whose team logged 12 steals.
As well-oiled as it was on both ends, Terrafirma had to shake off a gritty FiberXers, who repeatedly tried to chip away at their foes' seemingly insurmountable lead halfway in the third.
Staring at a 24-point deficit, 52-76, following Isaac Go's three-pointer for the Dyip with 6:43 left in the third period, the FiberXers churned out persistent efforts to cut the double-digit leads of Converge.
Before they knew it, they trimmed the gap to six after Jerrick Balanza's undergoal stab with 29 ticks remaining in the fourth period, 103-97.
But Alolino countered for Terrafirma, sinking a pair of free throws before Tiongson slammed the door on Converge with a layup to ice the final score.
The Scores:
TERRAFIRMA 107 – Tiongson 30, Holt 27, Go 13, Gomez de Liano 10, Alolino 10, Sangalang 9, Calvo 6, Ramos 2, Cahilig 0, Camson 0, Mina 0.
CONVERGE 99 – Winston 18, Arana 18, Stockton 17, Santos 14, Fornilos 8, Ambohot 7, Melecio 5, Balanza 5, Zaldivar 3, Maagdenberg 2, Caralipio 2, Nieto 0, Delos Santos 0, Fleming 0.
Quarterscores: 27-21, 56-44, 86-75, 107-99