Dyip outlast Tropang 5G in overtime, snap three-game skid

Terrafirma ended its three-game losing streak with a gritty 111-106 overtime victory over TNT in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors' Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center.

The Dyip overcame a blown 18-point lead and responded with a decisive late run after the Tropang 5G seized a 104-98 advantage early in overtime.

Juami Tiongson ignited the comeback with consecutive three-pointers before Joseph Eriobu and Maverick Ahanmisi knocked down back-to-back triples of their own, completing a game-clinching 12-2 run that gave Terrafirma a 110-106 lead with 35.3 seconds remaining.

JM Bravo then came up with a key defensive stop, blocking Darius Days' shot attempt with 27.2 seconds left before Tiongson iced the game with a free throw.

Head coach Ronald Tubid praised his team's resilience after falling short in three straight close losses.

"Siguro kulang lang 'yung effort sa last three losses. Sabi ko nga, hinihintay pa ng team ang malamangan bago humabol," Tubid said.

"Everyday in practice, sinasabi namin na kaya naman natin, as long as we play our A-game. Kailangan lang maano ng players na kaya naman; if we keep on competing, may chance manalo."

The victory improved Terrafirma to 2-3.

Import Justin Strings led the Dyip with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists as Terrafirma used a dominant 31-15 second quarter to build a 50-35 halftime lead.

Tiongson finished with 24 points, including seven in overtime, while Ahanmisi added 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block.

TNT mounted a furious second-half rally behind Jordan Heading, who scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Heading forced overtime by knocking down a difficult floater with 0.3 seconds remaining after the Tropang 5G erased an 11-point deficit late in regulation.

Heading later gave TNT its biggest overtime lead at 106-101 with 1:59 left, but the defending champions failed to score again as Terrafirma closed the game with the final 10 points.

RR Pogoy, playing his first game after signing a three-year contract extension, finished with 23 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Rey Nambatac contributed 19 points, Kim Aurin scored 18 on four three-pointers, while import Darius Days was limited to 10 points and five rebounds.

The loss dropped TNT to 1-2 after consecutive defeats following its opening-day victory over guest team Macau.

Terrafirma returns to action against Macau on Wednesday, July 29, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, while TNT faces Converge on Tuesday, July 28.