Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 12) – The Terrafirma Dyip came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Blackwater Bossing, 109-103, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
Blackwater’s loss is their 25th straight – a league record – dating back to the 2019 Governors’ Cup. The Bossing now have a 0-6 slate in the current conference.
Terrafirma import Antonio Hester and returning rookie Joshua Munzon led a big 25-7 scoring run in the last five-and-a-half minutes of the game to improve their record to 2-4.
The Bossing held the lead in the first three quarters and posted a 96-84 advantage in the 5:28 mark, comfortably looking to snap their grim milestone in the league.
But the Dyip had other plans as Hester sank inside baskets and free throws in the next possessions to gave Terrafirma the lead, 97-96, in an and-one play with over two minutes left in the contest.
Munzon, the top draft pick of the 2021 PBA Draft who returned to the squad from a dislocated finger, provided the much needed clutch shots in the last minute.
Blackwater tried to reverse the outcome as guard Baser Amer and veteran forward Jay Washington made a three-point shot and a layup, respectively, to cut their deficit to one at 101-102.
Hester, who had a monster game with 41 points and 13 rebounds, and JP Calvo made their field goals and free throws in the final seconds of the game to seal the victory.
Big man Andreas Cahilig finished with 17 points while Munzon added 13 markers for Terrafirma.
“I just told the guys to settle down,” said Terrafirma head coach Johnedel Cardel. “Every time we get the ball, we should convert a basket. And it happened, we just kept doing good defense.”
New Blackwater import Shawn Glover had a solid game with 35 points and 17 rebounds. Fellow Bossing debutant Rey Suerte, who joined the team this month after his Gilas Pilipinas contract ended, also impressed with 16 points and six boards.
The Scores:
TERRAFIRMA 109 – Hester 41, Cahilig 17, Munzon 13, Tiongson 12, Ramos 9, Daquioag 5, Batiller 4, Calvo 6, Camson 2, Pascual 0, Go 0
BLACKWATER 103 – Glover 35, Suerte 16, Amer 13, McCarthy 12, Ebona 10, Washington 6, Casio 6, Amboludto 4, Ayonayon 1, Melton 0, Paras 0, Escoto 0
Quarterscores: 23-24, 52-54, 74-83, 109-103
