Terrafirma hands NLEX first loss of Governors’ Cup

Terrafirma Dyip’s Justin Strings during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—NLEX’s perfect start to the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup came to an end Friday after Terrafirma stunned the Road Warriors, 114-109, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Dyip put an end to the Road Warriors’ perfect 6-0 record and gave coach Jimmy Alapag his first official loss as a PBA coach, while improving to 3-4 in Group A.

“We got lucky in this game,” Terrfima coach Ronald Tubid said in Filipino.

“In the last few games, we ran out of energy and we collapsed in the endgame so in this one, we told them that we can match up against NLEX even if they’re 6-0. Matchup-wise, we can go up against them. All we need to do is compete.”

After trailing a 109-105 deficit with 3:11 left, Geo Chiu took matters into his own hands for the Dyip with two straight baskets to tie the game at 109-all with 1:38 remaining.

Terrafirma Dyip’s Geo Chiu during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

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Just when NLEX thought it could return to the driver’s seat, Brent Paraiso converted a crucial and-one play with 1:01 left in the quarter to give Terrafirma the pivotal 111-109 advantage.

Paraiso, who finished with 18 points, missed his freebie, but it didn’t seem to matter as the Road Warriors committed multiple fumbles on the ensuing possession, ultimately failing to keep their record unblemished.

Justin Strings led for Terrafirma with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Mav Ahanmisi also had 16 points and 10 rebounds while Juami Tiongson and JM Bravo posted 20 and 16 points, respectively.

Robert Bolick and JB Bahio scored 20 each in the Road Warriors’ loss that dropped them to 6-1. Import DeQuan Jones finished with 19 points while Schonny Winston and LJ Gonzales tallied 16 and 15.