CONVERGE pulled off a rousing start to its PBA Governors’ Cup campaign, defeating NorthPort, 122-92, on Sunday in what went down as the most lopsided win in team history - and the third heaviest defeat for the Batang Pier.
Maverick Ahanmisi led the romp with 29 points, six rebounds, and nine assists wihle import Ethan Rusbatch had 17 points and nine rebounds for the FiberXers, who outscored the Batang Pier, 40-21, in the second quarter to pull away for good.
The FiberXers took no chances against the Batang Pier, who played without Robert Bolick and Arwind Santos due to injuries in Bonnie Tan debut as interim coach.
Jeron Teng added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Jerrick Balanza also had a solid showing against his former team, finishing with 13 points and four assists.
The 30-point victory was the largest in franchise history, eclipsing the 108-84 win over NLEX last November 5.
“We started slow doon sa first quarter because there were players na naghahanap ng puntos. Excited lang siguro sa first game. But after that, everyone was executing and we were setting up players sa mga strengths [nila],” said Converge coach Aldin Ayo.
Ahanmisi scored 11 in that second-quarter turnaround that enabled the FiberXers to enter the half with a 66-46 lead that stood to the end.
Marcus Weathers provided 37 points and 12 rebounds while Arvin Tolentino had 12 points in the lopsided defeat by NorthPort, which trailed by as many as 37 points.
The scores:
Converge 122 – Ahanmisi 29, Rusbatch 17, Teng 16, Tratter 13, Balanza 13, Murrell 12, Browne 11, Arana 6, Racal 3, Stockton 2, Tolomia 0, Ebona 0, Arana 0, Ambohot 0.
NorthPort 92 – Weathers 37, Tolentino 12, Calma 10, Munzon 9, Sumang 5, Chan 5, Salado 4, Taha 2, Vigil 2, Ayaay 2, Caperal 2, Zamar 0, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarters: 26-25; 66-46; 88-69; 122-92.