The PBA Philippine Cup unfolded on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with a double-header that featured two middling teams and two contenders. Here’s a recap of what went down:
Terrafirma Stops Phoenix Behind Vintage Showing from Veterans
The Terrafirma Dyip, behind Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle, welcomed what is likely their last conference in the PBA with a 95-87 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Pringle torched the Fuel Masters with 12 first-half points, all on three-pointers to help the Dyip to a 49-43 advantage going into intermission. Romeo then took over in the third, firing 14 of his 17 second half points to stake Terrafirma to a 79-59 lead going to the fourth. He then hit a three down the stretch to weather the Phoenix rally and put the Dyip ahead, 92-79.
The Dyip’s inspired play spoiled the career-night of rookie Kai Balunggay, who went off for 30 points and 15 rebounds—both career-highs. Raul Soyud added 11 and Kent Salado and Tyler Tio chipped in 9 apiece for Phoenix, who struggled without injured main man Jason Perkins.
Up next:
Terrafirma vs. Meralco on April 6 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Phoenix vs. Converge FiberXers on April 6 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
Terrafirma 95 – Sangalang 21, Pringle 17, Romeo 17, Hernandez 9, Catapusan 9, Melecio 8, Paraiso 6, Nonoy 4, Ramos 4, Zaldivar 0, Hanapi 0
Phoenix 87 – Ballungay 30, Soyud 11, Salado 9, Tio 9, Alejandro 6, Garcia 4, Camacho 4, Ricero 3, Jazul 3, Manganti 2, Verano 2, Tuffin 2, Daves 2
Meralco Rallies Past Converge to Open Title Defense with Win
The Meralco Bolts looked on the verge of losing big in the opener of their PBA Philippine Cup title defense. But that championship mettle and familiar Meralco resilience ultimately kicked in as the Bolts stormed back and got the 91-89 squeaker over the Converge FiberXers.
Converge started like a house on fire, scoring 19 points in the first five minutes while holding down the Bolts to 3 markers. The FiberXers extended the lead to as much as 20 and looked on the verge of an easy opening-day win even without Jordan Heading, who was nursing back spasms. But Meralco chipped away at the lead in the second half, before tying things up at 89 on back-to-back triples from Bong Quinto and Chris Newsome.
Newsome, who finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, capped the comeback with a midrange jumper just inside the free throw line with 0.8 left. Quinto fired 13 to back up the Gilas mainstay, while Raymond Almazan added 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Justin Arana came away with 23 points for Converge, while Justine Baltazar chipped in 14 points and 10 boards. None, though, could puncture the hoop in the endgame as the FiberXers went scoreless in the final three minutes.
Up next:
Ginebra vs. NorthPort Batang Pier on January 8 (PhilSports Arena)
San Miguel vs. Magnolia Hotshots on January 12 (Ynares Center)
The Scores:
Meralco vs. Terrafirma on April 6 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
Converge vs. Phoenix on April 6 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
PBA Philippine Cup Continues
The PBA Philippine Cup continues later today, also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. The Blackwater Bossing and Magnolia Hotshots collide in the first game, followed by the NLEX Road Warriors and San Miguel Beermen.
