UNTIL Tuesday night, Converge’s heartbreaking loss in overtime against Terrafirma in the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup still stings.
And that was the motivation the FiberXers needed moving forward.
“Tinalo nila kasi kami last conference. Yun ang laging sinasabi sa amin ng mga coaches na bumawi kami,” said sophomore big man Justin Baltazar.
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The FiberXers finally got their payback against the Dyip via a 105-103 win to improve their record to 2-0 in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup.
Baltazar played a huge part in preserving the victory as he swatted away Aljon Mariano’s layup with 27 seconds left and Converge protecting a slim two-point lead.
The Gilas Pilipinas member ended up with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, while adding four assists and two block shots.
“Talagang pinag-trabahuhan namin 'yung Terrafirma,” said Baltazar, mentioning in between the 111-100 overtime loss by Converge to Terrafirma the last time.
“Hindi na kami naka-score nung overtime,” he recalled. “Kaya pumasok talaga sa isip namin na makabawi sa Terrafirma.
“Last conference kung hindi kami natalo sa Terrafirma, baka nakapasok pa kami ng quarterfinals.”
Balti was driven to get back at the Dyip that he refused to be taken out when Terrafirma was making its comeback in the fourth quarter.
“Sabi ko kay Boss (coach Delta Pineda), huwag mo muna akong ilabas. Gusto kong manalo,” he said.
Pineda heeded Balti’s plea and the big men played huge in the endgame to help the Fiberxers get their payback.
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