Terrafirma kept its unbeaten run intact and moved within one win of a franchise-best start after turning back Blackwater, 99-88, on Wednesday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Dyip came out firing and built a lead as large as 20 points early, only to see Blackwater claw its way back and trim the deficit to just one by halftime. But when the game tightened, Terrafirma rediscovered its rhythm, tightened up on defense, and imposed its system in the second half to secure its third straight victory in as many games.
“Maganda start pero we tended to go one-on-one nu’ng second quarter. I think we were up by 20? ‘Yun ‘yung problem kapag young team, eh, sometimes nalilihis,” said head coach Ronald Tubid.
“We saw to it na bumalik doon sa dating direksyon ulit, which is to run the system, huwag mag-one-on-one. Then siyempre dumipensa,” he added.
That adjustment proved decisive as the Dyip outscored the Bossing, 25-17, in the third quarter to regain full control and carry a 75-66 cushion into the final period.
Mubashar Ali, coming off a monster 50-point, 25-rebound outing against Converge last Saturday, did not need another explosive scoring night to make his presence felt. The hardworking big man still delivered a dominant double-double of 22 points and 23 rebounds to anchor another balanced Terrafirma attack.
Paolo Hernandez provided one of his best performances of the conference with 20 points, while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 18, including nine in the pivotal third quarter. Joseph Eriobu chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds, and Maverick Ahanmisi contributed 10 points and a game-high five assists.
Maverick Ahanmisi also struck from long range with a four-point shot during a strong 17-10 start by Terrafirma in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to 92-76 and effectively shutting the door on Blackwater’s comeback hopes.
For the Bossing, Sedrick Barefield led all local scorers with 25 points, 11 of them coming in the second quarter when Blackwater stormed back from a 20-40 hole to trail by just 50-49 at the break. But the rally ultimately fizzled as the team failed to sustain the momentum after halftime.
Blackwater also struggled to get the expected production from import Daniel Ochefu, who was limited to just 11 points and seven rebounds. Christian David likewise had a rough night, shooting just 1-of-8 from the field and finishing with only five points.
The defeat dropped Blackwater to 0-2, while Terrafirma improved to 3-0 and now eyes a chance to match the franchise’s best-ever 4-0 start when it takes on Phoenix on March 25.
The scores:
Terrafirma 99 – Mubashar 22, Hernandez 20, J. Ahanmisi 18, Eriobu 12, M. Ahanmisi 10, Bravo 7, Chiu 7, Zaldivar 3, Umali 0.
Blackwater 88 – Barefield 25, Ochefu 11, Andrade 10, Ilagan 9, Mendoza 8, Tratter 7, Una 6, David 5, Panopio 4, Escoto 3, Mallilin 0, Guinto 0, Jopia 0, Murrell 0.
Quarters: 33-15; 50-49; 75-66; 99-88.