DASMARIÑAS CITY - Converge moved one win away from its first-ever semifinal appearance in franchise history, overwhelming Rain or Shine, 105-89, in Game 3 of their PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Juan Gomez de Liano took over in the second half, highlighting a double-double with the killer baskets that gave Converge a 2-1 lead after the first lopsided game of this evenly matched best-of-five quarterfinal.
Cameron Clark also played a big game in the FiberXers' win that spoiled Adrian Nocum’s first career triple-double performance for Rain or Shine.
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Converge will look to close the series and advance to the semifinals for the first time ever in Game 4 on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Gomez de Liano had a team-high 19 points and 13 rebounds for the FiberXers, including a jumper for the biggest lead of the game at 101-91. He added a four for good measure to stop a Rain or Shine mini-run for a 105-86 lead.
Clark added 18 points and five rebounds for the FiberXers, who outscored Rain or Shine, 23-14, in the final quarter after controlling the pace of the match-up.
“Nag-slow break muna kami nung third quarter. Ayaw namin sumabay sa bilis nila so we need to control ‘yung defense and we need to play defense,” said Converge coach Delta Pineda.
Nocum had 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists, but shot 3-of-12 from the field and turned the ball over seven times.
Aaron Fuller also struggled, scoring just four points on 2-of-11 shooting from the field.
The scores:
Converge 105 – Gomez de Liano 19, Clark 18, Baltazar 15, Abueva 13, Policarpio 13, Arana 9, Stockton 7, Williams 5, Tungcab 4, Garcia 2, Concepcion 0, Santos 0.
Rain or Shine 89 – Lemetti 18, Tiongson 16, Cuajao 16, Nocum 11, Malonzo 10, Villegas 5, Clarito 5, Fuller 4, Caracut 2, Manaytay 2.
Quarters: 32-32; 52-53; 82-75; 105-89.
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