CONVERGE downed Magnolia, 89-82, on Monday to arrange a quarterfinals series against San Miguel in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup.
The FiberXers won the match-up at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium between two teams who were already in the playoffs, but were still determining their opponents for the quarterfinals.
Converge secured the No. 3 spot in Group A with a 6-4 win-loss slate, and will face the second-seeded Beermen out of Group B.
With the defeat, the Hotshots dropped to 5-5 and fourth position in the quarterfinals, where they will be tackling Group B No. 1 Rain or Shine.
Jalen Jones had 27 points and 12 rebounds to lead the FiberXers, who used a 32-18 third quarter to pull away in the contest. This, after trailing by 15 points, 42-27, in the second quarter.
“We chunked off our goals in little parts, first one being making the quarters, and right now, we’ve somehow got that. But it doesn’t end here. Right next is playing the playoffs. Medyo malaking challenge ‘yung San Miguel,” said Converge coach Franco Atienza.
Justin Arana added 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston chipped in 10 each for the FiberXers.
Calvin Abueva and Peter Alfaro led Magnolia in scoring with 11 points each, with the Hotshots giving minutes to all their players except the injured Paul Lee.
Rayvonte Rice had five points on 2-of-14 shooting from the field in his first game after taking over for Shabazz Muhammad, who suffered a knee injury in their previous outing against NorthPort.
The scores:
CONVERGE 89 – Jones 27, Arana 12, Winston 10, Stockton 10, Caralipio 9, Santos 8, Andrade 7, Delos Santos 4, Melecio 2, Ambohot 0, Vigan-Fleming 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0, Zaldivar 0, Fornilos 0.
MAGNOLIA 82 – Abueva 11, Alfaro 11, Eriobu 8, Sangalang 8, Balanza 8, Laput 7, Ahanmisi 6, Rice 5, Barroca 5, Mendoza 5, Lucero 2, Reavis 2, Escoto 2, Dionisio 2, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarters: 18-27; 41-50; 73-68; 89-82.
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