Terrafirma stops NLEX

End of the road for NLEX’ perfect start.

MANILA, Philippines — And the one responsible for busting the Group A leader’s 6-0 streak was Terrafirma, the only team that gave the Road Warriors a big scare in the first-round sweep of the PBA Governors’ Cup elims.

Banking on clutch plays from Maverick Ahanmisi and Brent Paraiso in the stretch, the Dyip took down the previously unbeaten troops of coach Jimmy Alapag, 114-109, on a rainy Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

It was sweet revenge for the 100-101 heartbreaker that the Dyip suffered at NLEX’ hands the first time they met last July 12. That game that saw them wipe out a 23-point deficit and come one basket short of stealing the W.

Successful this time, thanks to its 9-0 closing barrage, Terrafirma improved to 2-4, catching Converge at fourth in Group A.

Despite getting its record stained, NLEX (6-1) stayed at the helm ahead of San Miguel (5-2) and TNT (3-3).

Ahanmisi dished out a 16-10 double-double with three rebounds and three steals. He capped his heroics with a crucial interception and assist that led to Geo Chiu’s game-tying layup, a defensive board that resulted in Brent Paraiso’s go-ahead basket and a dagger free throw with 2.9 seconds left.

“Feels good (to have our revenge). We know the type of fight we need to get it done against them,” said Ahanmisi.

Paraiso punched in seven of his 18 in the finishing to join Ahanmisi, Justin Strings (28-11-6), Juami Tiongson (20) and JM Bravo (16) in the Terrafirma scoring parade.

Robert Bolick, with 20, and JB Bahio, with 20 and 15 boards, paced NLEX in this losing cause.

“Alam namin makaka-match up kami against NLEX, all we need to do is compete every possession,” said coach Ronald Tubid.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and TNT look to fortify their standings inside the Magic 4 of Group A as they face separate foes today at Ynares Center-Montalban.

The second-running Beermen (5-2) gun for their sixth win against Macau (2-5) at 5:15 p.m. while the third-running Tropang 5G (3-3) seek payback versus first-round tormentor Titan (2-5) at 7:30 p.m.