Negrense Calvo shines as Terrafirma edges NLEX in PBA

Posted by watchmen
March 5, 2024
Posted in SPORTS

 

 

Negrense John Paul Calvo of the Terrafirma Dyip stretches for a layup. (PBA photo)
Negrense John Paul Calvo of the Terrafirma Dyip stretches for a layup. (PBA photo)

By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense John Paul Calvo made his presence felt in the fourth quarter as the Terrafirma Dyip cruised to a come-from-behind 99-95 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 3.

After being down by as much as 13 points, the Dyip slowly carved their way back into the contest in the second half until they took an 86-84 lead on a three-pointer and a split free throw by Calvo with six minutes left.

The Road Warriors reclaimed the lead at 87-86 on a three-pointer by Robert Bolick Jr., but free throws by Calvo and connections by Stephen Holt, Mark Sangalang and Aldrech Ramos gave the Dyip a 95-91 advantage.

NLEX still tried to come close behind free throws by Bolick and an inside hit by Dave Marcelo, but Terrafirma answered with free throws from George Isaac Go and Calvo to seal the win.

Calvo finished the game with 16 points, with eight coming in the fourth quarter, to go with four rebounds, one assist and a steal as the Dyip moved to a share of the top spot with a 2-0 win-loss slate.

Juan Miguel Tiongson led the way for Terrafirma with 21 points, including two three-pointers. Javi Gomez de Liaño chipped in 18 markers off the bench, while Holt ended with 17 points to earn his second consecutive Player of the Game honors.

Bolick finished with 29 points, eight assists and five rebounds, while Negrense Jhan Nermal added 15 markers for the Road Warriors, which dropped to 1-1 after failing to score a follow-up to their 107-100 win over the NorthPort Batang Pier last March 1.

The NorthPort Batang Pier erased an 18-point deficit to turn back the Converge FiberXers, 112-104, in overtime.

The Batang Pier moved up to 1-1, while the FiberXers remained winless in two games.

Down by as much as 18 points, the Batang Pier clawed their way back behind Arvin Tolentino, Joshua Munzon and Cade Flores to take a 96-93 lead, but FiberXers’ Alec Stockton connected on a three-pointer to force an overtime.

In the extension period, the Batang Pier surged to a 110-101 lead behind Tolentino, Flores and William Navarro.

The FiberXers got a response from Stockton, but a conversion by Navarro secured the win for NorthPort./ASC, WDJ

 

TERRAFIRMA 99 — Tiongson 21, Gomez de Liaño 18, Holt 17, Calvo 16, Alolino 9, Sangalang 8, Go 7, Ramos 3, Camson 0, Cahilig 0, Mina 0.

NLEX 95 — Bolick 29, Nermal 15, Valdez 9, Miranda 7, Ular 7, Anthony 6, Semerad 6, Nieto 6, Pascual 4, Marcelo 4, Herndon 2.

Quarterscores: 21-26, 47-57, 70-73, 99-95.

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