TERRAFIRMA is not about to go out with just a whimper.
Stanley Pringle saw to that by taking charge in the stretch that led the Dyip to a resounding 84-72 win over heavy favorite TNT Thursday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Scoring on a variety of drives and from the stripe, Pringle strung up 10 of his 18 points in the last 5:48 of the game that not only enabled Terrafirma to hold off TNT's challenge but also give the Dyip a safe 79-70 lead, only 1:39 to go.
The Dyip went on to notch their first win in nine games, a losing streak that took them out of the race for quarterfinals seats and punctuated by back-to-back one-point losses to Magnolia and Converge in their most recent outings.
The fact that Terrafirma played the last 6:55 without import Antonio Hester, who hurt his left elbow in a rebounding battle, made coach Johnedel Cardel beam even more.
"It worked, 'yung sinabi ko na takbuhan namin, and then the defense followed. All my players were dedicated on defense. I credit all my players," said Cardel.
"Even though we were outnumbered - nine, 10 players lang naglalaro, iyon pa rin. We were still fighting, looking for a first win and we got it tonight."
Due to a gimpy left knee, Pringle seemed set to join Terrafirma's injury list but instead dug deep and ultimately played the hero's role.
"I was a little hurt in this game. My knee was acting up a little bit from all the games, back-to-back. Coach let me sit up for a while in the second half and just activate, do my mobility on the bench," related the 37-year-old.
"The guys stepped it up and I just came in really at the end and played hard and we got the win."
The loss, only its second in nine games, hardly mattered for TNT as it retained Group A leadership going to its last elimination round game against NorthPort on Sunday.
This one, however, should sting as it seemed the Tropang Giga were all set to roll into victory in a game wherein the Dyip committed 24 turnovers, nine of those off steals by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Hollis-Anderson also led all scorers with 25 points on top of 11 rebounds while Roger Pogoy notched 23 points anchored on five triples. With the two on the firing end, TNT even posted a 54-45 lead before its shooting struggles caught up with it.
Hester, who still finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds, was at the forefront of Terrafirma's fourth quarter uprising from a 50-57 deficit, scoring eight points in a 13-4 run that pushed the Dyip ahead. (NC)
The Scores :
TERRAFIRMA 84 - Hester 22, Pringle 18, Sangalang 10, Cahilig 8, Ramos 7, Hanapi 7, Hernandez 6, Olivario 2, Carino 2, Ferrer 2.
TNT 72 - Hollis-Jefferson 25, Pogoy 23, Oftana 5, Erram 4, Nambatac 3, Payawal 3, Varilla 3, Castro 2, Khobuntin 2, Williams 2, Heruela 0, Vosotros 0, Exciminiano 0.
QUARTERS : 15-18, 32-36, 50-57, 84-72
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