Dyip riding high on Hester, Cabagnot

MANILA, Philippines — After missing the quarterfinals last conference, Terrafirma is looking to complete the job in the PBA Governors’ Cup especially with “complete package” import Antonio Hester and veteran guard Alex Cabagnot in tow.

The Dyip finished the last Philippine Cup in Bacolor, Pampanga at 4-7 in a tie for No. 8 with Barangay Ginebra and Phoenix. Due to an inferior quotient against the two, however, Terrafirma missed out on the playoff for the last seat.

“Yung players ko naman in the last bubble, even though we didn’t make it to the quarterfinals, they played well. It was a matter of injuries (taking their toll),” coach Johnedel Cardel said in “The Game” on One Sports.

“Malaking bagay yung nawala sila Josh Munzon and Drei Cahilig and Roosevelt Adams got injured din. If not, siguro we could have made it five or six wins (and get outright quarterfinal entry),” he added.

Cardel is excited to have Hester, who won championships in the Peruvian and Icelandic leagues, and trade acquisition Cabagnot, who was victorious with old team San Miguel Beer, for this campaign.

“He is a very athletic guy. He can play four or five and he has good shooting from the perimeter and three-point area,” said Cardel of the 6-foot-6 Hester, who posted averages of 18.4 points and a league-high 12 rebounds for Icelandic club Njardvik.

“He’s a complete package, very skilled and an energy guy who can help us get to the quarterfinals,” he added.

Cabagnot, meanwhile, can provide his leadership to Terrafirma’s young guns like Juami Tiongson and offer a solid option at crunchtime.

“Malaking tulong siya,” Cardel said of the nine-time PBA champion.

Meanwhile, NLEX picked up guard Kris Rosales from the free agent pool to join Kevin Alas and Jericho Cruz in its backcourt line that continues to miss Kiefer Ravena, who’s in Japan.

Rosales, who last played for Rain or Shine in the 2020 Philippine Cup, was signed to a one-year deal yesterday.