Antipolo: Import Justin Strings debuted with 25 points and 16 rebounds, but rookie Geo Chiu stole the limelight with career highs of 19 points and 23 rebounds as Terrafirma pulled off a 113-100 victory over all-Filipino Titan Ultra at the start of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, JM Bravo, Didat Hanapi, the returning Juami Tiongson, and Maverick Ahanmisi all chipped in at least 11 points for Terrafirma. Coach Ronald Tubid mentioned the team's ongoing adjustments with new players Juami Tiongson and Chris Miller, both acquired in a trade with San Miguel Beer in exchange for Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez early last month.
Tubid expressed some dissatisfaction despite the win, highlighting the missed opportunity to capitalize on Titan Ultra's lack of an import, James Edward Milton, who could not get clearance in time from the international basketball federation FIBA. Despite the setback, Titan managed to overcome an early 7-17 deficit, even grabbing a 37-33 lead, and were trailing by just 87-89 before succumbing to Terrafirma's balanced attack.
Without a solid frontliner, Titan struggled in the rebounding department, being out-rebounded 94-52, which allowed Terrafirma to gain a significant advantage in inside and second chance points. Aris Dionisio scored all of his 21 points in the second half while also hauling down nine rebounds, with Joshua Munzon adding 15 and Paolo Javillonar 11 for Titan.
In other developments, Group B action at Ynares Center Montalban is set to feature Magnolia against Phoenix Super LPG. Magnolia's KJ Buffen, coming off a stint with Rans PIK in the Indonesian Basketball League, averaged a double-double of 21.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in the 2025-26 season. Phoenix will depend on BJ Johnson, a forward with NBA experience from Atlanta, Sacramento, and Orlando.
Rain Or Shine will face Blackwater, with Aaron Fuller and Kentrell Barkley leading their respective teams. The tournament format divides 13 teams into two groups, with Group A consisting of TNT, San Miguel Beer, Converge, NLEX, Macau, Terrafirma, and Titan Ultra; and Group B comprising Barangay Ginebra, Rain Or Shine, Magnolia, Meralco, Phoenix Super LPG, and Blackwater. Groupmates will play a double round robin elimination, advancing the top four in each group to the quarterfinals, with tiebreakers resolved by quotient.
