TERRAFIRMA RIDES MARK NONOY'S 33 POINTS TO CLAIM TNT SCALP

ANTIPOLO – Mark Nonoy heated up with 33 points as Terrafirma pulled off an unlikely victory over erstwhile league-leader TNT, 117-108, on Wednesday at the close of the Dyip’s PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup campaign at the Ynares Center.

The Terrafirma rookie came out firing on all cylinders, highlighting his career game with a buzzer-beating four-pointer at the end of the third quarter for a 99-70 lead.

The Dyip led by as many as 31 points, with a Nonoy three also pouring cold water on a TNT rally and giving his side a 115-99 lead.

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While it was Terrafirma's only win in 12 games in the midseason conference, the Dyip have now beaten TNT twice in a row after their 84-72 victory over the Tropang Giga last September 19 in the Governors' Cup.

Since then, the Dyip have not won, and Wednesday’s victory snapped a 12-game losing skid encompassing two conferences.

TNT saw an end to its six-game winning streak and fell to 6-3, dropping all the way from first to fifth in the team standings.

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Terrafirma coach Raymond Tiongco also claimed his first-ever win as a PBA coach as the Dyip avoided another winless conference.

"Pinagkatiwalaan ko lang sila," said Tiongco. "’Yung strength nila, alam naman namin. We made our shots kanina kaya maganda rin nilaro namin, from the outside to the inside. Nakuha namin off-guard ‘yung TNT. We made our shots especially Nonoy nung nag-run kami."

Nonoy shot 10 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 6 from threes. As a team, Terrafirma made 14 of its 29 attempts from distance.

The rookie also added four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Brandon Edwards added 19 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, while Louie Sangalang had 16 points for the Dyip.

Terrafirma spoiled Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s 41-point outing. Calvin Oftana added 17 points for the Tropang Giga.

The scores:

Terrafirma 117 – Nonoy 33, Edwards 19, Sangalang 16, Melecio 10, Carino 10, Ferrer 9, Pringle 8, Manuel 6, Hernandez 4, Catapusan 2, Hanapi 0.

TNT 108 – Hollis-Jefferson 41, Oftana 17, Nambatac 12, Castro 11, Pogoy 9, Erram 5, Galinato 5, Razon 4, Khobuntin 2, Aurin 2, Payawal 0, Williams 0, Varilla 0.

Quarters: 25-28; 61-50; 99-70; 117-108.

2025-01-22T12:13:38Z