CONVERGE capitalized on the absence of James Dickey III to rout Phoenix Super LPG, 130-103, on Sunday and snatched its first winning streak in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Converge fielded its new import Donovan Smith against a Phoenix side that was left without one after Dickey was ruled out of the game due to a sprained ankle he suffered during their previous outing against Rain or Shine.
READ Phoenix left without an import vs Converge as Dickey nurses injury
Smith made an impact early, scoring 18 of his 32 points in the first half against his former team to help the FiberXers claim a second straight win and improve to 4-6 (win-loss), moving just behind seventh placers Magnolia and San Miguel (4-5).
Phoenix stayed at sixth place with a 5-4 record, but is now only one game ahead of Magnolia and San Miguel.
So dominant was Converge that it led by as many as 34 points.
“This coming games, we'll treat this as do-or-die talaga,” said Converge coach Delta Pineda.
Alec Stockton had 16 points, and Justine Baltazar had 15 points and 14 rebounds for the FiberXers.
Ricci Rivero took over the scoring load with Dickey out, finishing with 26 points for the Fuelmasters.
The scores:
Converge 130 – Smith 32, Stockton 16, Baltazar 15, Arana 13, Gomez de Liano 13, Abueva 9, Concepcion 7, Williams 5, Garcia 4, Eguilos 4, Policarpio 4, Muyang 3, Clemente 2, Reyson 2, Lepalam 1.
Phoenix Super LPG 103 – Rivero 26, Perkins 17, Tuffin 15, Tio 10, Gozum 10, Escandor 9, Daves 6, Nelle 5, Delos Santos 3, Cullar 2, Ando 0, Ynot 0, Santos 0, Caperal 0.
Quarters: 29-16; 61-46; 94-71; 130-103.
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