HOOPS

Terrafirma stops NLEX run

Mark Escarlote · Aug 8, 2026, 1:10 AM

Terrafirma leans on the leadership of veteran Maverick Ahanmisi to score an upset over erstwhile unbeaten NLEX, 114-109, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup. — PHOTOGRAPH by Joey Sanchez Mendoza for DAILY TRIBUNE

Terrafirma pulled off a huge shocker and dented the erstwhile perfect record of NLEX in a 114-109 upset in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup group stage Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Down by four in the last three minutes, the Dyip zoomed to a closing 9-0 run for a satisfying payback victory and a 3-4 win-loss record to start the second round. Terrafirma climbed to a tie in fourth place in Group A with Converge.

“I think we got lucky in this game. We really, really wanted this win because in the last few games we didn’t have enough energy and we fizzled out in the endgame,” Dyip head coach Ronald Tubid said of his team’s revenge victory after a close-shaved, 100-101, loss in their first-round meeting.

“But this game, right in the pre-game (huddle) we told them that we’re taking on an NLEX team that is 6-0. Matchup-wise we know we can match up to them. All we need to do is compete in every possession.”

Justin Strings finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, Juami Tiongson had 20 points and Brent Paraiso added 18 points for Terrafirma. Maverick Ahanmisi scored 16 points, including a split from the foul line in the last 2.9 seconds to seal the win.

Terrafirma trailed, 105-109, after a JB Bahio basket with 3:11 left in the payoff period. Geo Chiu answered with back-to-back baskets off Ahanmisi feeds to tie before a Paraiso and-one layup put the Dyip on top, 111-109, in the last 1:01 of the game.