Dyip bow out with a bang

MANILA, Philippines — Going out swinging.

For a team taking its final bow in the PBA’s Season 50 hostilities, that’s the right way to go.

And that’s exactly what Terrafirma had in mind as it closed out its campaign in the Governors’ Cup with a 149-117 romp over fellow also-ran Titan Ultra last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo.

Out of the running for a playoffs spot no matter what, the Dyip were businesslike in the Group A gig, swarming all over the undermanned Giant Risers to produce the wire-to-wire verdict that gave their futile drive a positive finish.

Overall, Terrafirma carded a 5-7 win-loss record for fifth in the seven-team group – one notch and three victories short of cracking the Top 4 and advancing to the playoffs.

Still, coach Ronald Tubid and his crew would gladly take this W and use it as a building block for next season.

“Before the game sinabi namin sa boys we needed to end this conference on a high note,” said Tubid, whose squad pounced on the absence of Joshua Munzon (calf strain and swollen Achilles) in getting it done and handing Titan (2-10) its fifth straight defeat to end its run.

“At least may babalikan kami next conference, seeing that if we played our A-game, we were competitive.”

Maverick Ahanmisi turned in a brilliant 18-point, 10-rebound, 14-assist triple-double performance in just 28 minutes of play to lead Terrafirma’s “graceful exit” efforts.

Fellow veteran and team leader Juami Tiongson was on target in Terrafirma’s last hurrah, rifling in six booming triples to highlight his game-high 30 markers.

Later, Rain or Shine sealed its Last-8 entry in Group B with its fifth win in eight matches via a 125-123 win over Blackwater.  The Bossing (3-6) remained in the cellar.