Terrafirma dominates Alaska to keep playoff hopes alive

September 20 ------ TERRAFIRMA frustrated Alaska, 105-89, and kept its flickering playoff hopes alive in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night. The Dyip leaned on the balance scoring of Juami Tiongson, Rashawn McCarthy, and Roosevelt Adams to end a three-game skid and end their elimination round campaign on a winning note. More importantly, they put themselves back in the running for a possible playoff for the No. 8 quarterfinals berth. The Dyip tied Phoenix with a 4-7 slate as they now await the conclusion of the eliminations to determine if they get to advance to the next round or not.

The loss was a huge blow for Alaska, which lost for the second straight time in a brutal three-game weekend schedule. The Aces fell to a 3-6 record, needing to win its final two games to have a shot at making the quarterfinals.

“You never know baka this game might be very crucial later down the road, baka makapag-playoff pa kami,” said Tiongson, who finished with 17 points, including three three-pointers and issued six assists. McCarthy led Terrafirma with 19 points, while the pair of Adams and Aldrech Ramos also finished with 17 each. Coach Johnedel Cardel is keeping his fingers crossed the Dyip would have a shot at making the playoffs following the 16-point win, although they no longer have their fate on their hands. “Hopefully, mabigyan kami ng chance for the playoffs, depende siyempre sa mga win or lose (record) ng mga kalaban,” he said.

Alaska tried to keep in step with the Aces, but their weary legs abandoned them in the third quarter when the Dyip began pushing the ball and hitting their shots from the outside. An 11-2 blast early in the fourth period put the Dyip in control for good, 90-77, as Adams, Tiongson, and Bonbon Bantillier each nailed a three during the scoring run. Abu Tratter led Alaska with 18 points, followed by Rob Herndon with 15, Maverick Ahanmisi 14, and Rodney Brondial with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. After playing three straights days, the Aces will get some well-deserved rest before resuming their bid for the remaining quarterfinals berths against San Miguel and NorthPort.

The scores

Terrafirma (105) - McCarthy 19, Tiongson 17, Ramos 17, Adams 17, Batiller 11, Celda 11,Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Calvo 2, Gabayni 0, Laput 0, Camson 0.

Alaska (89) - Tratter 18, Herndon 15, Ahanmisi 14, Brondial 12, Casio 12, Adamos 8, Teng 4, DiGregorio 3, Banal 3, Ilagan 0, Ebona 0, Marcelino 0.

Quarterscores: 24-21; 42-45; 79-75; 105-89.

Source: rappler.com