Terrafirma and NLEX hope to make their first win streak of the season when they lock horns in the 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
 

Riding the momentum of their breakthrough wins, the Dyip and the Road Warriors aim to pick up win No. 2 in the 3 p.m. affair which will be followed by the clash between the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the second game at 6:15 p.m.

Terrafirma could have been 2-0 by now, if not for a fourth quarter collapse in their first game against NorthPort – something that the Dyip made sure to adjust to ensure the victory against Blackwater last time out. 

For head coach John Cardel, his charges continue doing what works for them – to play a team and unselfish basketball.

“It's a team effort. Some guys have small minutes pero kapag pinasok sila, they are all positive. Not only the points that wins the game, it's the stats, the rebounds, making the assists to teammates locating players, kung sino ‘yung swerte,” said Cardel.

Juami Tiongson did get plenty of help with Javi Gomez De Liano and rookie Kemark Carino contributing on the offensive end. 

Top rookie pick Stephen Holt has yet to really find his groove offensively but has been solid on the defensive end for Dyip along with import Thomas De Thaey who is proving to be a good two-way reinforcement.

Terrafirma, however, will be put to a test especially against an NLEX team, brimming with confidence after a huge upset against San Miguel Beer last Wednesday.

Behind import Thomas Robinson and the late game heroics of Kris Rosales and Kevin Alas, the Road Warriors recovered from a 19-point deficit to pick up the first win – a complete reversal of their loss against Phoenix last week where they squandered a double-digit spread.

Meanwhile in the second game, young guns are out to take the center stage with the Fuel Masters and the Elasto Painters both expected to lean on their young cores.

Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin is banking on Tyler Tio and Javee Mocon to lead the attack along with potent rookies Ken Tuffin and Ricci Rivero in hopes of picking up their second win.

Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, on the other hand, hopes to finally find the winning combination for his young core that features the likes of Gian Mamuyac, Anton Asistio, Andrei Caracut, Santi Santillan and rookie big man Keith Datu.