PBA: Juami Tiongson hopes to get his 'joy' back with Dyip

Terrafirma guard Juami Tiongson takes a contested jumper against NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—Juami Tiongson admitted there were mixed emotions upon learning that he was heading back to Terrafirma after experiencing the euphoria of winning two championships with San Miguel Beer.

“Of course, I was hurt because I wanted to recover from my struggles the previous two conferences,” Tiongson said after the Dyip almost completed a massive comeback before bowing to the NLEX Road Warriors, 101-100, in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday here.

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“But it is what it is. At least, I’m here with my old team,” added the veteran guard, who was sent back by the Beermen plus a future pick in exchange for Jerrick Ahanmisi and Paolo Hernandez.

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Tiongson got to win two championships during his three-conference run with San Miguel, which acquired him before the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup. Prior to the trade, Tiongson had blossomed into one of the league’s premier scorers as the Dyip’s main man.

But Tiongson would be the first to admit that his San Miguel campaign had its share of difficulties.

And the 35-year-old immediately pointed out his personal goal, apart from trying to once help Terrafirma experience playoff basketball anew.

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“My personal goal is to enjoy the game [once more],” he said. “I lost my joy, I lost my passion when I was with San Miguel. But hopefully I can slowly regain it.

READ: PBA: Juami Tiongson shoots San Miguel Beer past Converge

Pressed on why that was the case, Tiongson felt that being on a championship-caliber side meant the need to perhaps meet higher expectations.

“I put so much pressure on myself,” he said. “At that time, I was thinking ‘Why are my previous games so bad? Why can’t I do what I want to do?’ And I have to hold myself accountable. Obviously, it was my fault that I lost my passion. And hopefully, I can regain that.”

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Tiongson returns to Terrafirma, no longer with the desire of being the take-charge guy that was instrumental in the dream 2024 Philippine Cup quarterfinal run with Stephen Holt, Isaac Go, Javi Gomez de Liano and Drei Cahilig, but as one of the leaders of a young squad led by 6-foot-9 rookie Geo Chiu.

“I actually don’t want to be that old me where I’m the one carrying the team because I want these guys to show their talent and skill,” Tiongson said.

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“It’s more of their time now, and I want to lead by example with this team.”