The Terrafirma Dyip drove past the importless Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 113-100, to open the PBA Governors’ Cup on a winning note at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Friday. It was a double-win of sorts for the Dyip as they also set the league’s all-time record in rebounds in a single game with 94, beating the 87 set by Gilbey’s Gin (now Barangay Ginebra San Miguel) way back in 1983.
What Happened?
The Governors’ Cup opening game started with a strong first quarter from the league’s perennial bottom-dwellers, with Terrafirma nudging ahead, 29-25, on the shoulders of Justin Strings’ early 10 points. The nip-and-tuck battle continued in the second, with the Dyip still pulling ahead by one to take a 51-46 lead into halftime.
An Aris Dionisio-led uprising in the third saw Titan Ultra, who also played without injured forward Cade Flores, drop 30 big points to Terrafirma’s 28 to slice the lead down to three, 79-76, going into the final frame. The Giant Risers, however, couldn’t sustain that momentum in the fourth as Strings, JM Bravo, and Geo Chiu connived to power the Dyip to a strong finish en route to the win.
Who Stood Out?
Strings was a pillar of strength for the Dyip down low, powering his way to a 25-point, 16-rebound double-double to go along with 6 dimes. He was ably complemented by rookie big man Geo Chiu, who set career highs in points and rebounds with his 19-point, 23-rebound effort. Bravo added 15 markers and 9 caroms.
The Giant Risers, who played without replacement import James Milton due to incomplete documentation, drew big games from Dionisio and main man Joshua Munzon. Dionisio tallied 21 points to lead the team, with 11 coming in the third. Munzon finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in a fine all-around effort.
3 Keys to the Game
- Rebounding. Terrafirma’s rebounding was the story of the game as Chiu and company hauled down a record-setting 94 boards to Titan’s 52. The difference, unsurprisingly, was just as big in the offensive rebounding department, where the Dyip finished with 40 to the Giant Risers’ 15. The result was a whopping 39 second-chance points.
- Interior scoring. Between getting easy baskets off offensive rebounds and Strings powering his way inside, Terrafirma scored more than half of its points in the paint. The difference was marked, too, as the Dyip had 68 interior points compared to just 34 for the Giant Risers.
- Starting unit. Terrafirma’s starters all finished in double digits, led by Strings’ 25 and Chiu’s 19. They outscored their Titan counterparts, 84-28, as they staked the Dyip to a strong start and an even stronger finish.
Next Up for the PBA
Saturday, July 11, 2026 | Ynares Center – Montalban
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- Phoenix Fuel Masters vs. Magnolia Hotshots
