A lot of tales from the country’s greatest of players had happened inside the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and Juami Tiongson made sure to write his own as the league returned to its old stomping grounds after more than 40 years.

The Dyip star nailed a booming triple with 12.5 seconds left as Terrafirma completed its comeback from 19-points down to frustrate Blackwater 92-91, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 16.

With Terrafirma trailing, 89-91, Tiongson dribbled from half court and immediately squared up for a jumper two steps behind the three point line over the outstretched arms of Blackwater guard RK Ilagan. 

The ball touched the bottom of the net as the rest of the Dyip celebrated much to the surprise of Tiongson – who actually thought that what he hit was a game-tying short and not a game winner.

“Akala ko talaga down three kami that’s why I was going for the three point shot. When I made the shot I was celebrating a bit and then my teammates were running towards me. I was thinking overtime pa tayo,” recalled Tiongson on the last play. 

“Nagulat ako panalo pala kami. I didn’t know,” he added as the Dyip improved to a 3-2 record and snapped a two-game slide.

Tiongson, after limited to just four points in the first half, came alive in the last two quarters by pouring in 16 of his 21 points. He was backstopped by Stephen Holt, who also exploded for 13 points in the third frame to top Terrafirma with 21 points on top of his 13 rebounds.

Isaac Go also had his share of damage for the Dyip with conference-high 17 points along with seven rebounds while Javi Gomez De Liano only had six points but all came in the final frame when they made the huge uprising.

The Dyip trailed 59-40 early in the second half, but slowly but surely clawed their way back into the game. 

Troy Rosario led the way for Blackwater with 23 points and eight rebounds and was the main reason why Blackwater managed to build the big lead. He was however limited to just four points in the final frame.

RK Ilagan added 15 points while Rey Suerte also had 12 but were not enough as they absorbed their second-straight loss for a 2-2 slate.