CONVERGE avoided another meltdown to tie the series against Rain or Shine, 130-125, on Friday in a thrilling Game 2 of the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Alec Stockton and Mikey Williams nailed crucial shots in the final moments to take the win after the FiberXers lost a lead as high as 15 points and were put into a pressure-packed situation by the Elasto Painters once more.
The series is now even at 1-1 heading into Game 3 on Tuesday at the Dasmarinas Arena.
The loss spoiled a monster double-double by Adrian Nocum, his efforts nearly leading to another come-from-behind win by the Elasto Painters.
Cameron Clark scored 22 points including two free throws with 2:46 left to break a 120-120 deadlock before Stockton buried a jumper for a four-point lead approaching the two-minute mark of the game.
Nocum drained a three to cut the deficit to one but Williams responded in a big way with a pull-up three from straight away with 35.2 seconds left.
Converge won after leading, 45-30, early in the second quarter only for that lead to evaporate after being outscored by Rain or Shine in the third, 37-25.
Rain or Shine even grabbed a 103-101 lead in the fourth but Converge showed composure in regaining the advantage by burying critical baskets.
“Talagang third quarter, alam naman natin ang lakas ng ROS. Still, nahabol pa rin ‘yung lead namin… ‘Yung fourth, breaks of the game na lang nangyari nung fourth,” said Converge coach Delta Pineda.
Juan Gomez de Liano had 20 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists, and Alec Stockton and Justine Baltazar each had 18 points apiece with Baltazar also hauling 11 rebounds.
Williams had 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field, but his second three of the game was the biggest, as he also bounced back from his Game 1 where he was 1-of-12.
Nocum had 22 points and a career-high 18 assists, but committed a pair of turnovers in the end game that also aided Converge’s win.
The scores:
Converge 130 – Clark 22, Gomez de Liano 20, Stockton 18, Baltazar 18, Abueva 13, Arana 12, Tungcab 11, Williams 10, Policarpio 4, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Santos 0.
Rain or Shine 125 – Fuller 26, Nocum 22, Clarito 22, Tiongson 17, Villegas 10, Cuajao 10, Lemetti 8, Caracut 6, Malonzo 4, Santillan 0.
Quarters: 37-30; 70-56; 95-93; 130-125.
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