CONVERGE captured its first win, routing Phoenix, 92-83, on Sunday in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The FiberXers evened their record to 1-1 (win-loss) and atoned for a disappointing start to the conference when they squandered a 20-point lead and lost to Meralco on Chris Newsome draining a game-winnner.
READ Tio, Rivero, Winston get too physical late in Converge vs Phoenix
Converge was able to maintain the big lead this time after going up by as high as 23 points, keeping Phoenix winless through two games.
Alec Stockton scored 18 points while Converge’s twin towers Justin Arana (10 points and 10 rebounds) and Justine Baltazar (nine points and 16 rebounds) got the FiberXers back after a slow start where they trailed, 24-19, at the end of the first quarter.
“Unlike the last game, ngayon medyo slow start kami,” said Converge coach Franco Atienza. “Nangapa kami sa depensa nila.”
“Buti na lang, kahit papaano, nag-balance out kami. I felt that we were caught off guard. Jittery if you could say that. But at the end of the day, it’s competition. Gusto mo ‘yung nacha-challenge ka for you to improve. I’m just glad that our team, our players were able to adjust,” said Atienza.
Bryan Santos had 12 points while shooting 3-of-6 from threes as Converge endured the absence of Jordan Heading, who is dealing with a back injury.
Kai Ballungay had another stellar outing for Phoenix, finishing with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks in the defeat as the Fuelmasters continued to miss Jason Perkins.
The scores:
Converge 92 – Stockton 18, Winston 14, B. Santos 12, Arana 10, Baltazar 9, Nermal 7, Garcia 6, Racal 5, Caralipio 5, Delos Santos 2, Corpuz 2, Ambohot 2, Suerte 0, R. Santos 0.
Phoenix 83 – Ballungay 15, Tio 13, Alejandro 8, Salado 8, Tuffin 7, Camacho 6, Garcia 6, Rivero 6, Soyud 5, Ular 4, Verano 3, Jazul 1, Manganti 1, Daves 0.
Quarters: 19-24; 44-38; 67-57; 92-83.
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