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Terrafirma's Jerrick Ahanmisi. PBA Images
MANILA (UPDATED) — Terrafirma is the first team to enter the win column of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup.
The Dyip, relying on Finnish reinforcement Ali Mubashar and local Jerrick Ahanmisi, drove past Titan Ultra, 112-82, as the import-laden conference kicked off Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
This marked the franchise's biggest triumph in terms of margin, notching a 30-point win, and only the third victory with at least a 20-point lead.
The match was actually a close fight early in the first period, but the Dyip performed better in the second quarter, eking out a 52-40 cushion entering the halftime break.
Ahanmisi then capitalized on that lead by unleashing a 17-point third quarter to lead his team to an 89-62 cushion before the fourth frame, pulling away from the Giant Risers.
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"Number one scorer namin si Jerrick talaga eh," coach Ronald Tubid said during the postgame press conference, acknowledging Ahanmisi's performance. "It just happened kanina medyo gigil kasi first game, sabi ko, 'just let it settle down. 'Pag na-settle down na 'yan, papasok.' Kaya, pumasok."
The Filipino-Nigerian guard, coming from a high at the All-Star Weekend, finished with 26 points — tying his career-high — to go with seven assists, earning Player of the Game nod.
Mubashar announced his entry with a double-double outing of 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Joseph Eriobu had 17 markers, also his career-high output.
On the other hand, Earl Gilmore and Joshua Munzon's 30-point outings were down the drain, as they notably lacked the support from the team.
Gilmore finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds, as Munzon chipped in 32 markers to pace the losing effort.
The Scores:
TERRAFIRMA 112 – Mubashar 27, J.Ahanmisi 26, Eriobu 17, Hernandez 15, Chiu 6, Hanapi 5, Bravo 4, M.Ahanmisi 3, Umali 3, Zaldivar 2, Garcia 2, Adamos 2, Catapusan 0
TITAN 82 – Gilmore 33, Munzon 32, Balanza 6, Dionisio 3, Sajonia 2, Flores 2, Javillonar 2, Ular 2, Yu 0, Melecio 0, Ambohot 0, Omega 0, Caralipio 0, Cuntapay 0, Pessumal 0
QUARTERS: 26-23, 52-40, 89-62, 112-82