The Macau Giant Pandas showed tremendous resilience and heart on Wednesday night, storming back from a 15-point deficit to defeat the Terrafirma Dyip, 96-92, in a thrilling PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup showdown at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
At the center of Macau’s dramatic rally was Damian Chongqui, whose clutch performance earned him the Player of the Game honors. Battling through a painful thigh injury, Chongqui delivered 29 points, including 13 crucial markers in the fourth quarter, as the Giant Pandas completed one of their most impressive comeback victories of the conference.
The victory marked Macau’s second straight win, a significant turnaround for a team that struggled early in the tournament. More importantly, it showcased the determination and chemistry that could make the Giant Pandas a dangerous opponent moving forward.
Terrafirma Controls the Early Stages
For much of the evening, Macau vs. Terrafirma appeared to be heading in the Dyip’s favor.
Terrafirma dictated the pace from the opening quarter with aggressive defense and efficient ball movement. Their offense clicked behind import Justin Strings, while veteran guard Maverick Ahanmisi orchestrated the attack with timely scoring and playmaking.
The Dyip built a comfortable lead that ballooned to as many as 15 points, frustrating Macau on both ends of the floor. Terrafirma entered halftime with an 11-point advantage and looked poised to secure another important victory in the Governors’ Cup.
Macau, however, never panicked.
Instead, the Giant Pandas gradually chipped away at the deficit, relying on their defense to create transition opportunities while patiently finding better offensive rhythm.
Damian Chongqui Leads the Rally
The momentum completely shifted in the second half, thanks largely to the brilliance of Damian Chongqui.
Despite being listed as a game-time decision after suffering a deep thigh contusion, Chongqui refused to let the injury prevent him from helping his team. He attacked the basket aggressively, knocked down timely perimeter shots, and consistently made the right decisions whenever Macau needed a spark.
His finest moments came in the fourth quarter.
With Terrafirma trying desperately to protect its shrinking lead, Chongqui erupted for 13 points in the final period. Every basket energized the Giant Pandas and silenced the Dyip’s supporters inside the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
His leadership extended beyond scoring. Chongqui calmly directed Macau’s offense during pressure situations, helping his teammates find quality looks while keeping everyone composed as the comeback gathered momentum.
It was the type of all-around performance that perfectly illustrated why he was named the game’s Player of the Game.
Perry Dominates Inside
While Damian Chongqui stole the spotlight, import De’Vondre Perry also delivered a spectacular performance.
Perry finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds, giving Macau a reliable inside presence throughout the contest. Whenever Terrafirma attempted to slow Chongqui on the perimeter, Perry punished the defense with powerfu l finishes in the paint and relentless rebounding.
The combination of Perry’s dominance inside and Chongqui’s late-game heroics proved too much for Terrafirma to overcome.
Together, they accounted for 63 of Macau’s 96 points and formed one of the conference’s most effective offensive duos on the night.
Defense Turns the Tide
Macau’s comeback was fueled not only by scoring but also by disciplined defense.
The Giant Pandas forced several costly Terrafirma turnovers during the third quarter, converting them into fast-break opportunities that quickly erased the Dyip’s once-commanding lead.
By the end of the third period, Macau had completely reversed the momentum and entered the fourth quarter with a narrow advantage.
The confidence that had belonged to Terrafirma during the first half had now shifted entirely to the Giant Pandas.
Clutch Finish Seals the Victory
The game’s closing moments were packed with drama.
With the score tied at 92-92, Terrafirma committed a costly turnover that Macau immediately capitalized on. Jenning Leung intercepted the ball before finding Kobey Lam, who converted a crucial layup to put the Giant Pandas ahead.
Although Lam failed to complete the three-point play, his hustle to secure the offensive rebound kept possession alive and prevented Terrafirma from responding immediately.
Moments later, Damian Chongqui calmly stepped to the free-throw line and knocked down two pressure-filled free throws to stretch Macau’s lead to four.
Terrafirma still had one final opportunity to force overtime, but its last-second four-point attempt missed the target as the final buzzer sounded, securing Macau’s thrilling 96-92 victory.
Damian Chongqui Credits the Entire Team
Following his outstanding performance, Damian Chongqui chose not to focus on his individual success.
Instead, the Player of the Game emphasized the collective effort that allowed Macau to erase a double-digit deficit.
“Everybody became a good teammate with the next man mentality and that’s what we did tonight,” Chongqui said after the game.
COURTESY: PBA OFFICIAL WEBSITE
His comments reflected the unselfish style of basketball that Macau displayed throughout the comeback. Every player contributed in meaningful ways, whether by making timely shots, grabbing key rebounds, or providing defensive stops when they mattered most.
Coach Praises Chongqui’s Toughness
Macau head coach Marcus Elliott revealed after the game that both Damian Chongqui and De’Vondre Perry were dealing with injuries leading into the matchup.
Despite not being fully healthy, both players answered the challenge when the team needed them the most.
“Dame had a deep thigh contusion… They were pretty much gametime decisions. I just appreciate them being dogs, tough-minded and gritty and coming in there to help us get that win,” Elliott said.
Those words perfectly captured the resilience displayed by Chongqui throughout the contest.
Rather than allowing his injury to become a distraction, he delivered one of his finest performances of the season while inspiring his teammates to keep believing during the comeback.
A Statement Victory for Macau
The win represented far more than another mark in the standings.
It demonstrated that the Macau Giant Pandas possess the mental toughness to overcome adversity and compete with anyone in the PBA Governors’ Cup. Rallying from a 15-point deficit against a determined Terrafirma squad required discipline, patience, and unwavering confidence—qualities Macau displayed throughout the second half.
For Terrafirma, the defeat was a painful reminder of how quickly momentum can change. After controlling much of the game, the Dyip struggled to protect their lead against Macau’s relentless pressure and clutch execution.
As the Governors’ Cup continues, the Giant Pandas will look to build on their growing confidence after winning back-to-back games. If Damian Chongqui continues to produce performances like the one he delivered in Macau vs. Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Macau could become one of the league’s most dangerous teams during the remainder of the conference.
