Making your own luck

In the PBA Governors’ Cup so far, six of 16 games were decided by five points or less with hard-luck Terrafirma losing three. The Dyip are off to a 1-3 start but could’ve easily been 4-0 if only breaks went their way in the homestretch. Terrafirma lost to NLEX by one, Converge by two and San Miguel Beer by five.

There’s a saying that you make your own luck. So true for Terrafirma. The Dyip can’t seem to seal close endings even if coach Ronald Tubid’s squad is just a possession away from escaping defeat. Tubid and assistant coach Jeff Napa must be credited for turning Terrafirma into a dangerous contender after a 1-10 record in the Philippine Cup and 4-8 in the Commissioner’s Cup this season. The Dyip can’t be considered a pushover after almost tripping NLEX, Converge and San Miguel Beer. What appears to be lacking is composure with the game on the line. There’s no question the team battles until the final buzzer. The only question is experience when it comes to finishing the job.

Against NLEX, Terrafirma was down by 23 but roared back in the fourth period, outscoring the Road Warriors by 22 in the quarter. NLEX was scoreless in the last 4:15 and Terrafirma ended with a 9-0 bang but it wasn’t enough to win. NLEX missed its last seven attempts and Justin Strings flubbed a triple with two ticks left. Terrafirma didn’t need a three to win, a two would’ve done it as NLEX held on for a one-point victory, 101-100.

Against Converge, Terrafirma trailed by 16 and outscored the FiberXers, 32-23, in the fourth. The Dyip held Converge scoreless in the last 3:24 and dumped a 7-0 bomb to end it. Aljon Mariano bungled a shot and Maverick Ahanmisi took a four with a second left as Converge escaped to win by two, 105-103.

Against San Miguel, Terrafirma crawled back from 22 down and snatched the lead, 104-101, on Juami Tiongson’s triple with 1:21 to go. Then, the Dyip had three turnovers, JM Bravo was called for an unsportsmanlike foul and Ahanmisi gave up a foul with a second to go as the Beermen delivered an 8-0 closer, six points from the line, to win, 109-104. Bravo’s unsportsmanlike call came with San Miguel up, 106-104, two seconds left then Ahanmisi fouled CJ Perez, a second remaining. Giving up four foul shots and a possession in the last two seconds was crazy, considering quotients will be the only determining factor to break ties in the elims. Terrafirma could’ve lost by two instead of five and that would’ve been a cushion if quotients were to come to play.

Making smart decisions in the end-game is something that comes with experience and it’s experience that leads to composure. Terrafirma is a young team that’s still developing its identity. The Dyip are slowly building character and from what they have shown so far this conference, the troops are on the right track. The challenge is to stay competitive as opposing teams won’t take Terrafirma lightly any longer.