Five-foot-8 Chong Qui helps Macau salvage some pride in guest campaign

Macau guard Damian Chong Qui goes for a layup against Terrafirma in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES

Damian Chong Qui would rather be thankful than dwell on the struggles of the Macau Giant Pandas in their guest participation in the PBA.

But in recent days, Chong Qui and the Giant Pandas have found ways to spring up positive results amid their difficulties as they pulled off another comeback win in the Governors’ Cup.

“I’m blessed to be able to wake up every day to play in the Philippines in the PBA or anywhere in the world,” Chong Qui said after scoring 29 points in Macau’s 96-92 victory over Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on a rainy Wednesday night. “So if I still got breath in my lungs, I’m going to play.”

Chong Qui, listed at 5-foot-8, has been one of Macau’s fixtures since it made its PBA debut last conference, being one of the visiting side’s best players.

But even with his presence, Macau could only register three wins in 12 games during the Commissioner’s Cup, and the early phase of the Governors’ Cup has also not been kind to them.

A 132-126 victory over Titan Ultra in Antipolo over the weekend, when they rallied from a double-digit deficit, ended the Giant Pandas’ 0-4 start, before prevailing in similar fashion against Terrafirma.

Dyip fall short again

Macau fell behind by 15, but Chong Qui, import De’Vondre Perry, Jenning Leung and Kobey Lam conspired to pull off another rally, as Terrafirma came up short again.

Both Macau and Terrafirma are now tied at 2-4, good for a share of fifth place in Group A entering the second round where teams will again meet the same teams within their group.

“It just shows that we got heart and that we are out there competing every night,” Chong Qui said despite playing through what coach Marcus Elliott described as a thigh contusion.

“And it shows that we got what it takes to compete in this league,” he went on. “So it’s just big for us for the momentum going into the next game.”

Final touches

Terrafirma could only lament another last-second mishap, failing to build on its 111-106 overtime upset of TNT last Saturday. The Dyip looked like it was coasting towards victory after going ahead 37-22 in the second.

Despite blowing that margin, the Dyip got their chance to make up for it when import Justin Strings scored to make it 92-90 before things went downhill for them.

Perry, who, like Strings had 34 points, converted a tying basket with under a minute to go. Then Terrafirma’s Maverick Ahanmisi committed a costly turnover, with Leung throwing an outlet to Lam for a layup that made it 94-92 for Macau.

Chong Qui then hit two charities to extend the gap for what was the final tally, as Juami Tiongson missed a four-pointer to tie.