CONVERGE survived a huge endgame fightback by TNT to pull off a 107-103 stunner in its final game of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena.
The FiberXers saw what once was a 15-point spread cut down to just two in the final 16 seconds, but clutch free throws by Schonny Winston allowed Converge to claim only its second win in the conference.
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“Our second group won it for us. I’ve been challenging them to play harder than the first group. Lots of the players in the second group were in double digits in terms of scoring. But more than the score, the defense that they applied against the small guys of TNT,” said winning coach Aldin Ayo.
Aljun Melecio led that second group with 17 points in his best game in a long while, while Winston added 13 and Patrick Maagdenberg with the yeoman’s job of 12 points as the FiberXers ended their season on a winning note.
The loss was a real heartbreaker for TNT, which fell to an even 5-5 record and could have a huge complications in its quest for a berth in the quarterfinals.
The Tropang Giga are now tied at No. 5 with Rain or Shine, Meralco, and Terrafirma with three playing dates left in the eliminations.
TNT will end its elimination round campaign against fellow contender Magnolia on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Calvin Oftana had a game-high 33 points and Roger Pogoy with 29 including a three with 16 seconds to go that capped an 18-5 TNT run for a 105-103 count.
The scores:
Converge (107) - Melecio 17, Arana 15, Santos 15, Winston 13, Maagdenberg 12, Fornilos 8, Delos Santos 7, Stockton 4, Andrade, Nieto 0.
TNT (103) - Oftana 33, Pogoy 29, Aurin 13, Khobuntin 11, Ponferrada 7, Castro 4, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Ebona 2, Varilla 2, Reyes 0, Montalbo 0.
Quarterscores: 31-31; 57-52; 83-77; 107-103.
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