CHEICK Diallo had 35 points, 17 rebounds, and three blocks as Converge overcame an early 17-point deficit to defeat Rain or Shine, 130-118, on Wednesday in their PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal opener at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Diallo dominated after the Rain or Shine import Deon Thompson fouled out on three quick whistles with 8:34 left in the third quarter, leading the third-seeded FiberXers to a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The FiberXers can clinch the franchise’s first semifinal appearance with another win in Game Two on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The result was similar to their elimination-round meeting where the FiberXers also fell behind by 17 points before pulling off a 103-96 win last January 14.
READ Guiao wants PBA refs probed for three quick fouls on import
Converge coach Franco Atienza warned closing out the series won't be easy.
“You have to put into context. This is a series. This win means nothing if hindi namin ma-close out,” said Atienza.
Caelan Tiongson picked up the cudgels and had a season-high 23 points for the Elasto Painters while Anton Asistio had 14 points and five assists. Thompsonadded 14 points and six rebounds before fouling out.
The Elasto Painters were already ahead, 34-17, late in the first quarter, but the FiberXers responded with a 38-23 second period to take a 64-62 halftime lead.
The scores:
Converge 130 – Diallo 35, Arana 22, Heading 21, Winston 17, Stockton 13, Baltazar 13, Delos Santos 4, Santos 3, Racal 2, Ambohot 0.
Rain or Shine 118 – Tiongson 23, Asistio 14, Thompson 14, Nocum 14, Datu 12, Clarito 10, Ildefonso 9, Caracut 8, Lemetti 6, Belga 5, Santillan 3.
Quarters: 26-39; 64-62; 99-96; 130-118.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
