IT’S been a long time coming for Terrafirma.
After eight years, the Dyip have finally advanced to the quarterfinals of any conference in the PBA.
“Bilog naman ang bola. Iyong mga players ko, they really want to play in these quarterfinals,” Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel said. “Even though dumaan kami sa butas ng karayom. Ganoon pa rin, dadaan pa rin kami sa butas ng karayom. Gagawin namin ang lahat para lang makaisa kami.”
The Dyip humbled the NorthPort Batang Pier 104-96 last Wednesday night to gain the eighth and final playoff slot in the Philippine Cup.
The last time Terrafirma did not go on an early vacation was in the 2016 Governors’ Cup. Since then, it failed to make it past the eliminations for 16 straight tilts.
That dry spell also included an agonizing 25-game losing skid–and a 0-11 campaign in the same import-less tourney in 2022.
Vastly improved wingman Javi Gomez de Liaño said they are hoping they can continue proving their naysayers and unbelievers wrong.
“Hopefully, little by little, we can gain the respect of everyone in the organization. I think we deserve it as well,” Gomez de Liaño said.
“We’ve been working hard. Throughout the years, we’ve been receiving bashing and just not good reviews, but I hope with this playoff campaign that we (can) change the narrative.”
Star guard Juami Tiongson wound up with a game-high 30 points, on top of five rebounds and three assists for the Dyip, while Stephen Holt chipped in 18 markers, eight boards and nine dimes.
Center Isaac Go added 13 and eight as Terrafirma reached the next round for the first time under Cardel.
The Dyip will take on top seed and defending champion San Miguel Beer in the Last Eight tomorrow, Saturday, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The Beermen will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage, but Cardel and his wards are unfazed.
“Anything can happen. All I know is my players really want to play in these quarterfinals,” he said. “We’ll do everything to get one win. Who knows?”
Rookie forward Zavier Lucero paced NorthPort with 17 points and six caroms, while Cade Flores had 16.
Joshua Munzon, Arvin Tolentino, and Paul Zamar also had 15, 13, and 10 markers, respectively, as the Batang Pier failed to sustain their skein.
After winning four of its first five outings, NorthPort dropped six of its last seven matches, leaving the team packing its bags, what Terrafirma is used to.
But not this time.
