Delayed, but not denied.

For years, Juami Tiongson held on to those words like a quiet promise especially during the times where he was nowhere near competing for a PBA title with his previous team Terrafirma.

But after years of struggles and defeats and spending time at the PBA cellar, he can now finally call himself a champion.

“Very thankful and grateful po talaga ako. Actually, surreal feeling. Di pa talaga siya nagsi-sink in. Hopefully in the coming days, talagang ma-experience ko na ‘Uy champion na ako’,“ said Tiongson, who celebrated his first PBA title with family and girlfriend and actress Arra San Agustin.

And Tiongson, indeed, had to show a lot of patience all throughout his career.

Tiongson entered the league not among the highly touted rookies. He had to bleed for his minutes and prove his wares. He got the break with coach Yeng Guiao at NLEX but was traded to Terrafirma.

There, he slowly and silently worked on his craft before emerging as one of Dyip's best weapons. He put the league on notice and turned heads enough for San Miguel to trade for him.

“Yung parati binubulong sa akin ni (Chris) Ross, sinasabi nya sa akin, it's delayed but not denied. I believe in that, I believe in that quote,“ said Tiongson

“Tiwala lang talaga sa Diyos na anything is possible, even though, kami ni Dre actually, parati kami na sa pababa. Finally, na-commit namin yung first championship namin sa career namin,“ he added.

Now finally getting the taste of winning it all, Tiongson admitted that the feeling is making him crave for more.

“Sobrang hirap pala magmanalo ng championship kahit medyo stacked na yung roster e. Kasi lahat gumagaling na ngayon e. Ang dami rin magagaling na dumadating. And hopefully, gusto ko rin maging greedy na manalo ulit kami hopefully back to back, next conference.“