The Dyip finally saw the end to the long and winding tunnel.

Stanley Pringle took Terrafirma home with clutch hits down the stretch to pull off a stunning upset of Group A pacesetter TNT, 84-72, to finally pick up its first win in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Pringle scored 13 of his 18 points in the final frame – including a stretch of 10 straight points to keep Terrafirma on the driver’s seat and repulse the Tropang Giga in the end.

After a pair of heartbreaks in their last two games where they both only lost by one point against Magnolia and Converge, Terrafirma finally broke through to improve to a 1-8 record and assure the Dyip from avoiding another winless conference.

Not only that Terrafirma ended an eight straight defeat this conference but also cut the 18-game losing streak to TNT dating back 2016.

Antonio Hester led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds although he failed to finish the contest after hurting his arm late in the final frame. Louie Sangalang also finished with 10 points for the Dyip who were missing the services of stars Christian Standhardinger and Juami Tiongson due to respective injuries.

Rookie Paolo Hernandez, who has been a revelation for Terrafirma, only finished with six points but also had six rebounds and seven assists – proving to be a steady point guard for Terrafirma even during the crucial stretches of the game.

Down by 50-57 heading into the final frame, Terrafirma exploded for 34 points while also putting the clamps on the Tropang Giga, who, despite the firepower could only muster 15 points in that same stretch.

Even with the struggles, however, TNT remained within striking distance as it only trailed by five, 69-64, even after a pair of triples from Hernandez and Andreas Cahilig.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson pulled TNT closer with a layup and a dunk but Pringle answered back with two layups of his own. They continued to trade baskets in the ensuing possession before Pringle scored on four straight free throws before finding Aldrech Ramos for the dagger trey that gave the Dyip a comfortable 82-70 lead with 34 seconds left.

Hollis-Jefferson finished with 25 points while RR Pogoy had a conference-high of 23 for TNT which remained at the Group A top spot despite the loss that pulled them to a 7-2 slate.