Dyip stay perfect, fends off Bossing to extend streak to 3

Terrafirma continued its early-season surge in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, holding off Blackwater, 99-88, on Wednesday at the Ynares Center to remain unbeaten through three games.

The Dyip came out firing, unloading a blistering 10-0 opening run that set the tone for the contest. They maintained control for most of the night, keeping the Bossing at bay despite a late push to secure a share of the top spot in the standings with a 3-0 record.

Mubashar Ali anchored the dominant performance with a monster double-double of 22 points and 23 rebounds, while Paolo Hernandez matched his output with 22 points, knocking down six of his 14 attempts from the field.

The hot start proved crucial, as Terrafirma unleashed a barrage from deep early. Hernandez and JM Bravo sparked the charge with back-to-back triples, before Jerrick Ahanmisi capped the run with a four-point play to give the Dyip a commanding 10-0 advantage.

Terrafirma stretched the lead to as much as 20 points, but Blackwater clawed its way back and trimmed the deficit to just one, 50-49, at halftime. The Dyip, however, regrouped in the third quarter, outscoring the Bossing, 25-17, to reestablish control and pull away for good.

“Sobrang ganda ng start namin pero we tend to go one-on-one in the second quarter. ‘Yun ang problem pagka-young team. Sometimes, nalilihis. We see to it na bumalik sa dating direksyon which is to run the system,” said Terrafirma coach Ronald Tubid.

Ahanmisi added 18 points, highlighted by two four-point shots, while Joseph Eriobu chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds in the win.

Blackwater was led by Sedrick Barefield’s 25 points, but struggled to get consistent production elsewhere. Import Daniel Ochefu was limited to 11 points and seven rebounds as the Bossing absorbed the loss.