Stephen Holt rose to the occasion and scored the go-ahead basket as Terrafirma outlasted NorthPort, 110-108, to give its playoff hopes a huge boost in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, April 24.

With Dyip's wheels seemingly falling off after their back-to-back losses that put their playoff hopes suddenly hanging in the balance, Holt took charge and threaded through the Batang Pier’s defense to score the clutch basket that broke a 108-all deadlock with 3.1 seconds left. 

Terrafirma then held on with its defense in the waning seconds as they bothered Arvin Tolentino’s potential game-tying shot to improve its record to 5-5 while sinking NorthPort further down in the standings with a 4-6 slate after its fifth straight loss.

Holt put up an all-around effort for Terrafirma with 22 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals while Juami Tiongson added 21 points and six assists but was reduced to a spectator in the final 24 seconds of the contest.

Holt’s big basket also preserved a solid effort from fellow rookie Louie Sangalang who finished with 19 points while Javi Gomez De Liano added 14. 

The win not only gave head coach Johnedel Cardel his first conference with five victories but also put one of Terrafirma’s feet already inside the playoff door. It also ended Dyip's record of futility against the Batang Pier who defeated them in their last seven meetings.

NorthPort actually looked to be in a good position to send the game into overtime after trailing by as many as 12 points when Tolentino and Cade Flores joined hands for a 6-0 spurt that tied the contest at 108-all with 24 seconds left.

That time, however, proved to be more than enough for Holt to break down NorthPort’s defense as he blew by Tolentino and Joshua Munzon before making the tough right handed layup over the challenging Damie Cuntapay and Cade Flores.

Tolentino paced NorthPort with 25 points and seven rebounds while Will Navarro added 17 points in an effort that was seemingly still not enough to stop the bleeding for the Batang Pier. 

All is not lost for NorthPort though as it is still very much in contention for a playoff spot but it will need a victory in its final assignment against Blackwater on Saturday, April 27. On Terrafirma’s part, a win over Magnolia in its last game would formalize its entry to the quarterfinals.

The Scores:

TERRAFIRMA 110 – Holt 22, Tiongson 21, Sangalang 19, Gomez de Liano 14, Go 10, Carino 9, Alolino 7, Cahilig 6, Ramos 2, Camson 0, Calvo 0

NORTHPORT 108 – Tolentino 25, Flores 18, Navarro 17, Bulanadi 14, Zamar 10, Lucero 9, Munzon 7, PChan 5, araiso 3, Cuntapay 0, Yu 0

QUARTERS: 27-22, 54-55, 88-78, 110-108