Fueled by matchup vs idol Castro, Nonoy stars as Terrafirma stuns TNT to avoid winless run
ANTIPOLO, Philippines – A first-time encounter with one of the players he looks up to brought the best out of rookie Mark Nonoy.
Nonoy turned in his finest PBA performance to date as he fired a season-high 33 points, helping Terrafirma carve out a stunning 117-108 win over TNT in the Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center on Wednesday, January 22.
The win allowed the Dyip to avoid ending the conference without a single victory as they concluded their campaign on a high note after dropping their first 11 games.
And it was largely thanks to Nonoy, who balled out against Tropang Giga veteran Jayson Castro.
“I was inspired by Kuya Jayson because it was our first time playing against each other. Since my childhood, I’ve been watching him,” said Nonoy, who also tallied 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
“He is one of the PBA players I’m inspired by. I was confident because I wanted to challenge him.”
Nonoy played like a man possessed as he hit big shot after big shot, with his four-pointer to beat the third-quarter buzzer giving Terrafirma a commanding 99-70 cushion.
He drained another four-point shot to open the fourth period as the Dyip mounted their biggest lead at 103-72 — a shocking turn of events against a stunned TNT side that won its six previous games.
When the Tropang Giga pulled within striking distance at 99-112 with over three minutes remaining, Nonoy came to rescue again and sank a three-pointer that took the fight out of TNT.
Import Brandon Edwards backstopped Nonoy with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, Louie Sangalang chimed in 16 points and 4 rebounds, while Aljun Melecio added 10 points.
Kemark Cariño also supplied 10 points, all coming in the third quarter as Terrafirma outscored the Tropang Giga, 38-20, in the period to prevent what would have been their third winless conference in franchise history.
Two-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson did most of the heavy lifting for TNT, churning out 41 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals, and 3 assists.
His all-around effort, though, went for naught as the Tropang Giga slipped to 6-3 and fell from the top spot to a share of fifth place with Rain or Shine.
Calvin Oftana had 17 points in the loss, while Rey Nambatac and Castro put up 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Scores
Terrafirma 117 – Nonoy 33, Edwards 19, Sangalang 16, Carino 10, Melecio 10, Ferrer 9, Pringle 8, Manuel 6, Hernandez 4, Catapusan 2, Hanapi 0.
TNT 108 – Hollis-Jefferson 41, Oftana 17, Nambatac 12, Castro 11, Pogoy 9, Galinato 5, Erram 5, Razon 4, Khobuntin 2, Aurin 2, Payawal 0, Williams 0, Varilla 0.
Quarters: 25-28, 61-50, 99-70, 117-108.
– Rappler.com