ANTIPOLO – Converge mentor Delta Pineda came to the defense of Alec Stockton after the Fil-Am guard committed a costly foul on Don Trollano that paved way for San Miguel’s 103-99 win on Wednesday night in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
READ: Delta Pineda admits concern as Converge slips to 1-3 start
Stockton fouled Trollano in the final 27 seconds while the Beermen stalwart drove to the basket and the game tied at 99.
The veteran wingman sank the two corresponding free throws that gave the defending champions the lead for good.
In essence, the sequence was reminiscent of Stockton’s similar crucial foul committed on Jeremiah Gray while attempting a corner three with nine seconds remaining in the do-or-die quarterfinals match between Barangay Ginebra and Converge during the Philippine Cup.
Gray calmly made all three free throws to send the game into overtime, where the Gin Kings eventually won.
But Pineda isn’t about to put the blame on Stockton, even as the FiberXers fell to their third straight loss in four outings.
“Let’s give Alec a chance. Yung ganung situation, hindi naman natin pwedeng isisi sa kanya. It’s part of the game,” he said.
Learning lessons
Stockton actually didn't have a bad game.
He finished with 17 points, eight assists, and three rebounds, and his step-back four-point shot tied the game at 99 with 39 seconds left to play.
But it was after that game-tying, long-distance shot that he committed the foul against Trollano.
Stockton then went for a three-point attempt with 11 seconds to go that hit only the side rim, as CJ Perez collared the rebound that led to a transition basket by June Mar Fajardo for the marginal score.
Nonetheless, Pineda reiterated he refused to single out Stockton for the close loss.
“Pero yung mga important score, nag–deliver din naman si Alec. Yung mga ganung sitwasyon, huwag nating i-blame doon sa bata yun. Yung maturity ng bata yun ang hinihintay namin,” he said.
The Converge coach said the foul on Trollano was all but a break of the game.
“Yun lang yung foul lang talaga. Breaks of the game lang talaga,” he said.
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