Hester, Munzon power Terrafirma to comeback win vs skidding Blackwater

Import Antonio Hester and Joshua Munzon had to step on the gas late in the game as the Terrafirma Dyip completed a 109-103 comeback victory over the struggling Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Governors' Cup on Saturday.

A feisty Blackwater team was able to establish its biggest lead of the night, 96-84, with still 5:28 to go in the fourth.

But Terrafirma quickly responded with a huge 18-0 run, six of which came from Hester while four came from Munzon, to reclaim a lead of 102-96.

Jay Washington and Jvee Casio were still able to bring the match to as close as two, 105-103, but JP Calvo completed his free throws, followed by a steal and a slam again by Hester, 109-103.

Hester led the Dyip with a double-double effort of 41 points and 13 rebounds to go along with three assists and three steals as Terrafirma improved to 2-4.

Andreas Cahilig chipped in 17 points and 10 rebounds off the bench while Munzon added 13 markers and four boards.

New Blackwater import Shawn Glover quickly made his presence felt, scoring 12 points in the opening period alone while newly-signed Rey Suerte added five markers as the Bossing closed out the first chapter leading by a hair, 24-23.

Glover came in as replacement for big man Jaylen Bond, who reinforced Blackwater in its five previous games.

The 6-foot-7 Glover took over again in the second quarter, drilling eight straight points for a 36-31 advantage before Rashawn Mccarthy, formerly a Terrafirma player, finished the first half with seven consecutive points, 54-52.

Tied at 63-all in the third, Blackwater started creating enough distance from Terrafirma courtesy of a 20-11 run to end the frame, 83-74.

But Terrafirma rallied in the payoff period to snap its three-game losing skid while Blackwater absorbed its 25th defeat in a row, dating back to the 2020 Philippine Cup.

The scores:

Terrafirma 109 - Hester 41, Cahilig 17, Munzon 13, Tiongson 12, Ramos 9, Calvo 6, Batiller 4, Daquioag 5, Camson 2,  Go 0, Pascual 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.

—JMB, GMA News