Terrafirma Dyip is surprisingly off to a good start. They look continue their run facing the up-and-down Talk N’ Text Tropang Giga

Terrafirma (2-0)

Projected starting five:

  • Stephen Holt
  • Juami Tiongson
  • JP Calvo
  • Isaac Go
  • Aldrech Ramos

Terrafirma comes in having won back-to-back games. They beat the Converge FiberXers last Friday, 107-99, and followed it up with a 99-95 victory against the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday.

While it’s too early to tell, it’s been great to see some fight in the team. They especially showed resilience vs. the Road Warriors as they overcame a funky first half, which caused them to go to the break trailing by 10 points.

Nevertheless, Juami Tiongson and Stephen Holt figure to be Dyip’s dynamic duo through their scoring barrage, with the former scoring 25.5 points per game and the latter adding 22.0 PPG, as well as already having nine steals in just two outings. Holt is also shooting a blistering 65% from the floor.

Tiongson and Holt are also being backed up by a good bunch, namely Juan Gomez De Liano (14.0 PPG, 59.5 FG%), Isaac Go (10.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG), and JP Calvo (11.0 PPG).

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Talk N’ Text Tropang Giga (1-1)

Projected starting five:

  • Kib Montalbo
  • RR Pogoy
  • Barkley Ebona
  • Calvin Oftana
  • Kelly Williams

Talk N’ Text failed to follow up their squeaky, 108-107 conference-opening win last February 28th. This past Saturday, they fell to the surging Blackwater Bossing, 87-76, after shooting just 39% from the field, including 5-of-24 from beyond the arc.

This next matchup should say a lot about TNT’s resolve. They are eyed to bounce back after a huge dud last week, and will face a good test on the seemingly upstart Terrafirma. Tweener Forward Calvin Oftana should be at the forefront of the attack as he is a force inside and out. He’s at 22.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in two appearances thus far.

As always, sharpshooter RR Pogoy will remain as one of Tropa’s main weapons. The 32-year-old has 15.0 PPG on 44% shooting on 4.5 attempts per game from deep in the conference.

Aging all-time great Jayson Castro is still contributing while coming off-the-bench with 13.5 PPG and 5.5 APG. Newcomer Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, meanwhile, is dishing out a double-double of 11.0 PPG and 11.0 RPG.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: TNT (+4.5) wins.Over/Under: The total goes under 207.

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