Terrafirma Dyip capped a fiery performance with two big charities from Juami Tiangson, whose second career-high output lifted his team to a 95-90 triumph over the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
The Dyip, with Tiongson leading with 31 points and a career-high nine triples, claimed their second win in six games on Friday in the the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Tiongson’s two freebies off Japeth Aguilar’s foul found their mark in the last seconds, right after the Gin Kings rallied from 13 points down in the last canto but still fell short.
The Dyip’s outside shooting worked wonders for them in third period as they broke loose from a two-point, 51-49 edge.
Two of three triples in the last 4:05 came from Tiongson as the Dyip gained a 17-point spread, 72-55.
“Our players worked hard. They played as a team. Wala ako masabi,” said Dyip coach John Cardel.
Christian Standhardinger knocked in 17 points for Ginebra, which fell to a 2-3 slate.
Meanwhile, two teammates with fresh legs took charge for the Magnolia Hotshots, who fended off the winless Blackwater Elite, 94-78, in an earlier game.
Andy Barroca and Ian Sangalang made their presence felt during a crucial phase of the third period, allowing the Hotshots to bounce back from an earlier loss to the Meralco Bolts.
Their big games allowed Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva to get some relief following their exhausting performance during their 94-95 setback to the Bolts two days ago.
Barroca knocked in 16 points, including one of four big triples in the last 10:30, which allowed the Hotshots to move away from a one-point lead.
His trey came as the Hotshots took control on a couple of three-point plays from Abueva and Lee, forcing the Elite to four turnovers and four treys and handing the Hotshots a 19-point advantage, 70-51, with 4:20 left.
The Hotshots picked up their fifth win in six games for a share of the lead with the Bolts.
“It’s very important (the win) because in the last five days, we have three games. I need to manage the minutes of my players so that they can be fresh in every game,” said Hotshots’ coach Chito Victolero.