JAMAAL Franklin made a huge first impression for Converge as its replacement import, tallying 42 points to lift the FiberXers to a 130-115 win over Terrafirma on Thursday in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Philsports Arena.
Franklin showed no signs of first-game jitters after coming in to take the place of Ethan Rusbatch after just one game. He went 7-of-18 clip from behind the arc to lift the FiberXers to an early lead in the team standings with a 2-0 record.
The new Converge import also had 11 rebounds and eight assists as the FiberXers withstood a fine offensive performance by Terrafirma import Jordan Williams, who had 46 points in his own PBA debut.
READ: Ayo convinced import Franklin's a keeper
“Jamaal played well. But of course, he is still adjusting. Hopefully, in our next practice, he will be able to adjust sa sistema namin. He's making those extra passes to the locals. Good thing, ‘yung mga locals naka-convert din,” said Converge coach Aldin Ayo.
Franklin had 19 points in the second quarter alone. He turned it up again to help put the game away in the fourth quarter with 10 markers, including two threes as Converge opened leads as big as 22 points.
Maverick Ahanmisi added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Jeron Teng and Justin Arana had 15 points and six rebounds each for Converge.
Williams kept Terrafirma in the game in the first half with 30 points for the Dyip, who even took a 71-68 lead at the break.
Juami Tiongson had 18 points and four steals, while Alex Cabagnot added 11 points and six assists for the Dyip.
The scores:
Converge 130 – Franklin 42, Ahanmisi 16, Arana 15, Teng 15, Tratter 10, Stockton 10, Browne 9, Racal 6, Balanza 4, Murrell 3, Ebona 0, Tolomia 0, Ambohot 0.
Terrafirma 115 – Williams 46, Tiongson 18, Cabagnot 11, Ferrer 10, Ramos 10, Camson 9, Cahilig 3, Gabayni 3, Mina 3, Gomez De Liano 2, Daquioag 0, Calvo 0.
Quarters: 36-33; 68-71; 100-92; 130-115.
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