Drought over.

Terrafirma finally picked up its first win in the PBA Philippine Cup after an inspiring 110-101 victory over Blackwater at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Friday, November 6.

CJ Perez led the way anew with 27 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks as the Dyip breached the win column after losing their first 7 games in the All-Filipino conference.

Terrafirma lost a total of 10 straight games dating back to the Governors’ Cup last season and had not won a game for more than a year – with its last victory coming against Phoenix in October 2019.

But Perez and company pulled out all the stops to arrest their slump, surviving a vintage performance of 29 points and 7 rebounds from veteran KG Cañaleta for the struggling Elite.

Perez scored 9 points in the 4th quarter and got timely contributions from Juami Tiongson, who had 19 points and 4 steals, and rookie Roosevelt Adams, who churned out 20 points, 16 rebounds, and 2 steals.

Tiongson also finished with 9 fourth-quarter points, including the triple that gave the Dyip a commanding 108-101 lead with 1:15 minutes left.

JP Calvo and Eric Camson each delivered 11 points in the win, which gave Terrafirma a slim chance to make the quarterfinals, albeit its playoffs hopes reliant on the results of other teams.

Cañaleta kept Blackwater afloat as he scored half of their 20 fourth-quarter points, but he lacked help from his teammates in the final frame as the Elite crashed to their fifth straight loss for a 2-6 record.

Don Trollano churned out 16 points and 13 rebounds in the loss, while Roi Sumang added 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Scores

Terrafirma 110 – Perez 27, Adams 20, Tiongson 19, Calvo 11, Camson 11, Faundo 7, Khobuntin 4, Celda 4, Ramos 3, Cahilig 2, Balagasay 0, Agovida 0.

Blackwater 101 – Canaleta 29, Sumang 15, Trollano 16, Daquioag 12, Bello 10, Magat 8, Golla 4, Dennison 4, Tolomia 3, Dario 0, Escoto 0, Gabriel 0.

Quarters: 27-20, 54-45, 80-81, 110-101.

– Rappler.com