By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense rookie Mark Nonoy misfired in his debut with the Terrafirma Dyip as they suffered a 116-87 defeat to the Converge FiberXers in the 2024-2025 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday night, November 27.

The Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City native guard finished with 11 points on 2-of-9 field goal shooting, to go with five rebounds, two steals and one assist in 27 minutes for the Dyip.

Nonoy, who was selected 10th overall during the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft, waited until the mid-season conference to make his Terrafirma debut after failing to secure an early release from his MPBL team, the Iloilo United Royals.

Meanwhile, Cheick Diallo led the way for the FiberXers with a double-double of 25 points and 16 rebounds, Justin Arana added a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Bryan Santos contributed 12 markers.

Holding to a slim 63-53 lead early in the third quarter, the FiberXers broke the game wide open behind inside conversions by Diallo and Arana and outside shots from Santos for an 86-67 advantage.

The FiberXers continued their onslaught in the fourth quarter with connections from Alec Stockton, Jordan Heading and Kamron Vigan-Fleming as the lead reached its largest at 33 points at 116-83.

“It is a good overall game for us. I think we dictated the tempo of this game, and all the players are in sync with our plays,” FiberXers head coach Franco Atienza said in a post-game interview.

“We hope to do better kasi mukhang maganda naman ang development namin from the last conference,” he said.

“We are excited to show kung anong natutunan namin and how we connect those dito sa mid-season,” he added.

Conrad Catapusan finished with 13 points.

Mark Sangalang and Stanley Pringle added 11 markers apiece, while Ryan Richards had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Dyip./ASC, WDJ