MANILA — Terrafirma Dyip sustained its early-season tear and seized solo momentum in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, dismantling Blackwater Bossing, 99-88, on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City to remain unbeaten at 3-0.
Mubashar Ali delivered a dominant double-double of 22 points and 22 rebounds, powering a balanced Terrafirma attack that kept its grip on the game despite a brief scare in the second quarter.
Paolo Hernandez added 20 points, while Jerrick Ahanmisi chipped in 18 markers, including two four-pointers. Joseph Eriobu and Maverick Ahanmisi also contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the Dyip continued to assert themselves as an early contender.
Terrafirma imposed its will early, erupting for a 33-15 advantage in the opening quarter behind crisp ball movement and suffocating defense.
Blackwater, however, mounted a spirited comeback in the second period, erasing most of the deficit and pulling within one, 50-49, at halftime.
The Dyip quickly regrouped after the break, restoring order with a strong third-quarter push to reestablish a 75-66 cushion. They maintained control in the final period, stretching the lead to as much as 14 points to seal the win.
Sedrick Barefield paced the Bossing with 25 points, while Daniel Ochefu and Bryan Andrade added 11 and 10, respectively, as Blackwater absorbed its second straight loss.
In another game, Meralco Bolts made an emphatic debut in the conference, crushing Converge FiberXers, 109-88, to open their campaign on a high note.
Meralco broke the game open in the second half, unloading a decisive third-quarter surge anchored by Marvin Jones and CJ Cansino that turned a close contest into a rout.
Jones led the Bolts with 29 points and eight rebounds, while Cansino and Chris Newsome added 23 and 19, respectively.
Alec Stockton scored 18 points for Converge, while Justin Arana and Kylor Kelley had 16 and 13 markers, respectively. Justine Baltazar and MJ Garcia chipped in 12 points apiece in the losing effort./PN
