Mark Nonoy dropped 33 points as the Terrafirma Dyip finally chalked up a win at the end of their campaign in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Terrafirma rookie Mark Nonoy took several dribbles from the left elbow as he sized up TNT defender Rey Nambatac.
The next thing Nambatac knew, Nonoy was already in mid-air, launching a shot from the four-point line with time winding down in the third period.
The shot saw the bottom of the net.
This basket told the story of the Dyip claiming erstwhile league-leader Tropang Giga's scalp, 117-108, for a winning ending to its PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Everything just clicked for Terrafirma, loser in its previous 11 matches, especially from outside.
As a team, the Dyip went 14-for-29 from three-point range. Nonoy accounted for five of those.
The speedster fom La Salle ended up with 33 points, including two four-pointers bridging the third and fourth periods. He also had four rebounds, four assists and a steal.
“Up and down ang team namin. We stuck together sa practice namin. Kumbaga 'yung iba, nawawalan na ng gana, pero may leader sa'ming [nagsabing] last push na 'to,” said Nonoy after the match.
Mark Nonoy is all smiles as the Terrafirma Dyip do not exit the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup empty-handed. | Photo (c) PBA Images
Brandon Edwards delivered his usual numbers with his 19 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a steal, while Louie Sangalang added 16 points, four rebounds and two assists.
“Pinagkatiwalaan kami ng coaches and then nag-respond kami as a team. Sobrang thankful ako kasi bago mag-end, nakuha namin 'yung first win namin.”
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While Terrafirma was elated with the lone win, the Tropang Giga bathed in frustration after seeing their six-game winning streak come to a screeching halt.
Disappointment was evident in import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who threw his wrist band to the crowd as he made his way to the dugout with still several seconds left to play.
He finished with 41 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and four blocks, but his all-around effort amounted to nothing as TNT dropped to 6-3 for fifth.
RHJ got help from Calvin Oftana, who finished with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Rey Nambatac chipped in 12 points.
The Scores:
TERRAFIRMA 117 – Nonoy 33, Edwards 19, Sangalang 16, Carino 10, Melecio 10, Ferrer 9, Pringle 8, Manuel 6, Hernandez 4, Catapusan 2, Hanapi 0.
TNT 108 – Hollis-Jefferson 41, Oftana 17, Nambatac 12, Castro 11, Pogoy 9, Galinato 5, Erram 5, Razon 4, Khobuntin 2, Aurin 2, Payawal 0, Williams 0, Varilla 0.
Quarterscores: 25-28, 61-50, 99-70, 117-108