Terrafirma hands NLEX first loss, ends Road Warriors’ perfect start

Terrafirma finally completed the comeback against NLEX, stunning the previously unbeaten Road Warriors, 114-109, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Dyip overcame a four-point deficit in the final four minutes as Geo Chiu and Brent Paraiso delivered crucial baskets before Maverick Ahanmisi helped close out the game with a decisive 9-0 run.

The victory gave Terrafirma a measure of revenge after its first-round matchup against NLEX, where the Dyip erased a 23-point deficit but suffered a heartbreaking 101-100 defeat.

This time, Ronald Tubid’s squad stayed composed in the closing minutes and became the first team to defeat NLEX in the season-ending conference.

NLEX entered the contest with a perfect 6-0 record under first-year head coach Jimmy Alapag, but its winning streak ended against a Terrafirma team that improved to 3-4 in Group A.

The Road Warriors remained on top of the standings at 6-1, while the Dyip moved into a tie for fourth place with Converge.

“We really, really wanted it,” Tubid said. “Last few games medyo bitin ‘yung energy saka endgame, doon bumibigay. This game, pre-game pa lang, sinabihan na namin na makaka-matchup kami sa NLEX although they're 6-0.”

Justin Strings led Terrafirma with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, while Juami Tiongson added 20 points.

Paraiso delivered a career-best performance with 18 points, while Ahanmisi posted 16 points and 10 assists to provide stability during the crucial moments.

Ahanmisi found Chiu for two key inside baskets during the closing stretch before Paraiso scored four straight points, including an and-one play that gave Terrafirma a 111-109 lead.

“Siguro malaking confidence-booster para sa team namin, kasi heartbreaking loss kami last game against Macau,” Paraiso said. “To beat the no. 1 team in the league, malaking confidence booster para sa amin.”

JM Bravo also contributed 16 points for the Dyip, who will next face Converge on Aug. 11 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

NLEX received strong efforts from JB Bahio, who finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Robert Bolick, who also scored 20 points while adding eight assists.

DeQuan Jones added 19 points and five rebounds, while Deschon Winston and LJ Gonzales chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively.

The Road Warriors will look to bounce back when they face TNT again on Tuesday.