JUSTIN Arana took command in overtime to lift Converge to a 132-127 win over Phoenix in the 2024 Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
Arana scored the first six points of overtime for the FiberXers to open the Davao invitational tournament on a high note after the FiberXers were able to send the game into an extra period despite being down 113-110 in the final seconds of regulation.
Albeit the win was in a pocket tournament, it is a good sign for the FiberXers to pull off the win even without their No. 1 pick Justine Baltazar, who will finish his contractual commitments with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL before joining the squad.
Also impressive in the ballgame for Converge was Alec Stockton as he made contributions offensively for the FiberXers all game with import Scotty Hopson not playing.
No. 4 pick Kai Ballungay gave a good account of himself for Phoenix in the contest after he joined forces with Jjay Alejandro and Javee Mocon in the final minutes where the Fuel Masters even held a three-point lead.
Ballungay even made a defensive play by blocking a desperate three by BJ Andrade with 1.1 seconds in regulation, but Converge somehow tied the match to extend it to overtime.
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