PBA: Terrafirma rallies late to hand NLEX first Governors' Cup loss

Terrafirma staged a late comeback to defeat NLEX, 114-109, and hand the Road Warriors their first loss of the PBA Governors' Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

NLEX held a 109-105 lead with 3:11 remaining in the fourth quarter before the Dyip closed the game on a decisive run to snatch the victory.

Geo Chiu sparked the rally with back-to-back baskets to tie the game with less than two minutes left. Brent Paraiso also delivered in the closing stretch before Mav Ahanmisi sealed the win by splitting his free throws after drawing a foul from Anthony Semerad.

The Road Warriors, despite the efforts of Robert Bolick, JB Bahio, and LJ Gonzales, were unable to respond in the final minutes.

With the win, Terrafirma also avenged its 101-100 loss to NLEX earlier in the conference.

"Siguro, this game suwerte kami kasi we really want it. The last few games, medyo bitin ang energy and doon bumibigay. This game, sa pre-game pa lang, sinabihan namin na makaka-match up kami sa NLEX although they are 6-0. All we need to do is to compete with every possession," Terrafirma head coach Ronald Tubid said.

Import Justin Strings led Terrafirma with 28 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, while Ahanmisi posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 assists to go with three rebounds and three steals. Paraiso added 18 points, while Juami Tiongson and JM Bravo chipped in 20 and 16 points, respectively, as the Dyip improved to 3-4.

Bolick and Bahio paced NLEX with 20 points apiece, with Bahio also collecting 16 rebounds. Import Dequan Jones added 19 points, while Schonny Winston and Gonzales contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, as the Road Warriors dropped to 6-1.

Scores:

Terrafirma 114 – Strings 28, Tiongson 20, Paraiso 18, Bravo 16, Ahanmisi 15, Eriobu 8, Chiu 8, Hanapi 0, Mariano 0, Catapusan 0.

NLEX 109 – Bolick 20, Bahio 20, Jones 19, Winston 16, Gonzales 15, Gamboa 8, Alas 4, Nelle 3, Capulong 2, Valdez 2, Semerad 0, Rodger 0.

Quarters: 34-30, 60-65, 88-86, 114-109.

—JKC, GMA News