TerraFirma Dyip import Ryan Richards. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — TerraFirma Dyip remained winless in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday.
The Raymond Tiongco-coached squad’s 25-point comeback attempt against the NLEX Road Warriors fell short as they eventually were dealt with a 104-85 defeat, and this put them at zero wins in three games early in the conference.
READ: Bolick explodes for 32, Road Warriors zoom past Dyip in wire-to-wire victory
Not helping the cause of TerraFirma was the performance of their import Ryan Richards, who, after only playing for one second against the NorthPort Batang Pier, was benched in the whole second half versus NLEX.
Coincidentally, it was when the second half wherein they turned a 67-42 disadvantage into only a seven-point, 88-81 deficit, but what was not a coincidence was the decision of Tiongco to bench the 6-foot-11 Richards.
“Tinanong ko sila kung anong gusto nila mangyari,” said the former Colegio de San Juan de Letran deputy mentor. “Tinanong ko kung gusto ba nila ng all locals at kung kaya ba namin, sabi nila kaya, so sinabi ko na: Sige, gawan natin ng paraan.”
“Gumanda naman, naka pick-up, pero short pa rin. Kailangan pa rin namin ng panalo, pero hopefully, nagiging team na kami,” he continued.
But after a subpar showing in his PBA stint so far, what does the future hold for Richards?
“Regarding sa import, last game na niya,” Tiongco revealed. “We decided na last game na niya, actually.”
”Talagang hindi siya pabor sa sistemang tinatakbo namin. He is too slow. Siya naman, aminado naman siya na hindi siya makakasabay sa gusto naming mangyari,” he continued.
Coming in for them is Brandon Edwards, their supposed reinforcement in the Season 49 opening conference Governors’ Cup months ago
“Friday, hopefully, nandito na yung import namin. Maglalaro na yung gusto naming import,” said Tiongco of the 6-foot-6 Edwards, who was eventually replaced by Antonio Hester.
“Kaya ko siya kinukuha kahit undersized kasi alam niya na yung sistema namin, and he can guard big men kaya siya na yung kinuha namin,” cited Tiongco, who put a premium on familiarity. “Tiyaka gusto niyang maglaro sa team namin.”
Edwards can make his PBA debut as early as Friday when the Dyip goes up against the Meralco Bolts on Friday.
RELATED VIDEO: