CONVERGE rose from a 17-point deficit to defeat Barangay Ginebra, 98-91, on Saturday in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Batangay City Sports Coliseum.
The FiberXers won after being down, 55-38, to pick up their third straight victory at the expense of a perennial title contender in the Gin Kings, a huge accomplishment for a young franchise who are out to make a mark this conference.
Converge improved to 5-2, with Barangay Ginebra going down to 3-2.
READ: Converge's Justine Baltazar looking forward to learning from Danny Ildefenso
Alec Stockton led the FiberXers in the come-from-behind win by finishing with 22 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. He had 17 points in that third quarter where they outscored the Gin Kings, 33-13.
Chieck Diallo added 19 points and 18 rebounds, and scored a three-point play with a dunk at the 1:54-mark of the fourth for a 95-88 lead to fend off a late comeback by the Gin Kings.
Schonny Winston chipped in 15 points, while Jordan Heading had 12 points including a three to give Converge a 73-70 advantage, its first lead since scoring the first two of the match, late in the third.
Converge opened the fourth on a 10-2 tear capped off by a Kevin Racal three-pointer from the left corner for the FiberXers’ biggest lead at 83-72.
Justin Brownlee had 39 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists for the Gin Kings in the loss, their second in three games.
Japeth Aguilar didn’t suit up for Barangay Ginebra due to pulled groin, but Stephen Holt returned from a knee injury although he was held scoreless in 23 minutes of action.
The scores:
Converge 98 – Stockton 22, Diallo 19, Winston 15, Heading 13, Arana 11, Santos 8, Baltazar 6, Racal 3, Nieto 1, Andrade 0, Caralipio 0, Delos Santos 0.
Barangay Ginebra 91 – Brownlee 39, Ahanmisi 15, Abarrientos 11, Thompson 8, Rosario 5, Tenorio 5, Mariano 4, Adamos 2, Cu 2, Holt 0.
Quarters: 21-23; 40-57; 73-70; 98-91.
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