CONVERGE finally ended its 12-game losing streak, defeating Meralco, 104-99, on Sunday in the PBA 48th Season Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Bryan Santos finished with 22 points on 7-of-10 from three-point range for the FiberXers’ first win since December 13 when they beat Terrafirma, 103-94.
JL Delos Santos buried a jumper with 10 seconds remaining in the contest to settle the final score as Converge improved to 1-8.
Alec Stockton, who scored a career-high 36 points in their 112-103 loss to San Miguel last Friday, fouled out at the seven-minute mark of the contest.
“We are excited for this win,” said Converge coach Aldin Ayo after the team’s first win in four months. “Hindi namin iniisip ‘yung wins and losses. I told them before the game na nasa likod na namin ‘yung eight straight losses.”
“We prepared hard against San Miguel pero hindi nangyari (‘yung panalo). Eto, we have one day to prepare. We almost had the same game plan,” said Ayo.
Santos nailed go-ahead threes on two occasions when the score was tied at 93-93 and 97-97. The final three happened at the 2:56 mark of the game which Meralco couldn’t answer.
Stockton had 20 points before fouling out while Justin Arana had 18 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists for the FiberXers, who still trailed at the half, 53-42, the biggest gap of the game.
Meralco fell to 3-5 and is now tied with Phoenix, its next opponent on Friday, for 10th place in the team standings.
Converge will look to win two straight on Saturday against Barangay Ginebra in Cagayan De Oro.
The scores:
Converge 104 – Santos 22, Stockton 20, Arana 18, Winston 14, Delos Santos 10, Caralipio 9, Maagdenberg 4, Melecio 4, Nieto 2, Vigan-Fleming 1, Fornilos 0.
Meralco 99 – Newsome 25, Banchero 20, Black 19, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Caram 6, Pasaol 5, Bates 5, Maliksi 0, Rios 0, Torres 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 23-25; 42-53; 77-77; 104-99.
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