MANILA – Terrafirma Dyip kept its 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup playoff hopes alive on Sunday night with a 105-89 thrashing of Alaska Aces at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Rashawn McCarthy led the way with 19 points, including two three-pointers, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the Dyip ended a three-game losing streak and improved to a 4-7 record.
Juan Miguel Tiongson, Roosevelt Adams, and Aldrech Ramos each scored 17 points, while Negrense Edson Batiller and Reden Celda added 11 markers each for Terrafirma.
With its current standings, the Dyip needs to wait the conclusion of the elimination round matches to determine whether they can secure a knockout match for the eighth and final quarterfinals spot.
However, if either or both the Aces and defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings reach five wins after 11 games, the Dyip will be booted out of contention.
“Hopefully, mabigyan kami ng chance for the playoffs, depende siyempre sa mga win or lose (record) ng mga kalaban,” according to Dyip head coach Johnedel Cardel.
At halftime, down by three points, 42-45, the Dyip surged ahead in the third period on the strength of successive inside hits by Matthew Ganuelas-Rosser and triples by Celda and McCarthy to secure a 79-75 advantage.
Terrafirma maintained their momentum in the fourth period with three-pointers from Adams and Batiller for an 87-77 lead, which they increased to 16 points on Tiongson’s outside buckets.
Abu Tratter top-scored with 18 points, while Robbie Herndon and Maverick Ahanmisi dropped 15 and 14 points, respectively, as the Aces fell to a 3-6 record.
As the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations enter their last week, the Aces still have two games left on their schedule – against NorthPort Batang Pier and San Miguel Beermen./PN
