The former promising core of the Terrafirma Dyip reunited on the hardcourt as Ginebra battled San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
San Miguel’s Juami Tiongson delighted in a reunion of sorts with former teammates as the once-promising core of the Terrafirma Dyip found themselves on opposite sides of the floor during the Beermen’s clash with Brgy. ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
Playing their first game of the new year, Tiongson was faced with former Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt now his competitor with the Gin Kings, and while Isaac Go did not suit up, it was still nice for Tiongson to be able to cross paths with them again.
[RELATED: Ginebra opens 2025 with triumph over San Miguel in PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup]
Once leading Terrafirma to the playoffs in Season 48’s PBA Philippine Cup, that particular Dyip core have now gone their separate ways, with Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig still finding themselves as teammates with the Beermen.
Despite wearing different jerseys this time, Tiongson said that he liked sharing the court with his former Terrafirma teammates — Holt, especially.
“I miss you bro. Happy New Year. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam. Syempre, na-miss ko yan eh. Na-miss ko si Stephen,” Tiongson said after San Miguel’s loss.
“Kahit si Isaac na-miss ko eh. Sana nga nag-laro si Isaac. Mini-reunion kami alongside Cahilig. Laking blessing na nagkita kita ulit kami,” he added.
Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games for Juami as he admitted he found it hard to guard his former teammate Holt, who ended up with 15 points in the Gin Kings’ double-digit win. But Tiongson, knowing his friend’s calibre, did not expect any less.
“Oo naman [nahirapan ako to guard him]. We all know na Rookie of the Year siya, Mythical Team, very good, solid player. All-around player, offensively, defensively,” said Tiongson.
“I knew what I was getting into guarding Stephen,” he added.
Regardless of what he felt about seeing his former teammates, Tiongson said that he looks forward to getting back at the Gin Kings should they meet in the playoffs, especially since it was his first foray into the San Miguel-Ginebra rivalry in the PBA.
“[It was] good exposure, sarap sa pakiramdam. Mas okay sana kung nanalo kami pero I’m sure sa playoffs [babawi kami],” he said.
Tiongson had 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists as the Beermen lost, 93-81. They return to action on Sunday, January 12, against the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
SMB are currently below .500 and are losers of two straight games at 3-4.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports)