FEATURE: Biggest winners of PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup Week 1

Alta Sports19 days ago · 369 views

FEATURE: Biggest winners of PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup Week 1 image

Photo: PBA Images

By James Ajero

The shifting tide of fortunes was evident in the opening week of the PBA 50 Commissioner's Cup, as the import-laden midseason conference began with a series of surprising results.

Traditional powerhouses humbled down while several usual cellar-dwellers surged to unbeaten starts, hinting that the league’s new no-height-limit rule for imports could have a deeper impact than many initially expected.

With teams now returning to practice courts to reassess their rotations and strategies, Alta Sports takes a look at the biggest winners from the conference’s opening week.

Terrafirma Dyip

Multiple brand changes have become routine for the Terrafirma Dyip, but one thing the franchise has long struggled to shake is its reputation as a perennial cellar-dweller.

The Dyip stunned everyone with a rare strong start in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, opening their campaign with back-to-back victories highlighted by a dominant 112-82 rout of Titan Ultra.

Photo: PBA Images

Import Mubashar Ali immediately made his presence felt, producing 27 points and 11 rebounds in his debut, while reigning Skills Challenge and Three-Point champion Jerrick Ahanmisi backed him up with 26 points, seven rebounds, and five steals.

Terrafirma then proved its opening win was no fluke, pulling off a statement 111-100 overtime victory against the Converge FiberXers.

Ali erupted for a massive 50-point, 25-rebound performance, with Ahanmisi adding 14 markers to help secure the Dyip’s impressive 2-0 start.

Whether these victories signal the start of a long-awaited turnaround or simply a brief surge before tougher challenges arrive remains to be seen. For now, however, Terrafirma has firmly established itself as one of the biggest winners of the conference’s opening week.

Phoenix Fuelmasters

Coming off a disappointing campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup and the subsequent appointment of new head coach Charles Tiu, expectations were modest for the Phoenix Fuelmasters entering the tournament.

Phoenix, however, quickly showed poise beyond its experience, edging the more seasoned Magnolia Hotshots in a thrilling 101-98 victory in their conference opener last Friday.

Import James Dickey III produced a dominant 20-point, 26-rebound performance in his debut. Veteran Jason Perkins added 19 points off the bench, while young gunners Ken Tuffin and Kai Ballungay chipped in 12 points apiece. Evan Nelle and Ricci Rivero also reached double figures with 10 markers each.

Photo: PBA Images

The Fuelmasters followed it up with another convincing performance, rolling to a 109-76 rout of Titan Ultra last Sunday.

Though his numbers dipped slightly, Dickey still anchored the effort with 17 points and 17 rebounds, while Rivero and Tuffin paced the locals with 18 and 17 markers, respectively.

With a dependable import and a promising young core beginning to find its rhythm, Phoenix is shaping up as a potential dark-horse contender in the tournament.

NLEX Road Warriors

Also off to a 2-0 start are the NLEX Road Warriors under veteran coach Jong Uichico, a franchise that has often struggled to deliver consistent success in the Philippine league.

The Road Warriors showcased the strength of their revamped backcourt following the arrival of Schonny Winston, joining star guard Robert Bolick and veterans Kevin Alas and Ljay Gonzales in a deep guard rotation.

NLEX opened its campaign with an 84-81 escape over the Blackwater Bossing, as Bolick finished with 24 points while import Cady Lalanne added 22 points and 16 rebounds.

Photo: PBA Images

The Road Warriors followed it up with a 112-105 comeback win against the Magnolia Hotshots, overcoming a 13-point deficit behind Lalanne’s 24 points and a balanced scoring effort from six locals, namely Bolick, Winston, Gonzales, Alas, JB Bahio, and Anthony Semerad.

Beyond securing a 2-0 cushion in the highly competitive league, the Road Warriors’ pair of comeback victories highlighted a resilience that could serve them well when they face tougher opposition later in the conference.

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