MONTALBAN – Juan Gomez De Liano had a smashing PBA debut while Justin Arana pumped in a monster double-double as Converge brought back new franchise Titan Ultra down to earth behind a runaway 129-92 win Saturday in the Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Gomez de Liano delivered an impressive triple-double of 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists as he lived up to expectations as the no. 2 overall pick in the last draft.
In doing so, he became the first player in PBA history to record a triple-double in his debut.
He also became the first rookie since Scottie Thompson to record a triple-double in his first season in the Perpetual star's rookie year with Barangay Ginebra in 2016.
Arana, a second Mythical Team member last season, was not to be outdone, proving too dominant in the middle for the FiberXers with his 28 points and 22 rebounds.
Schonny Winston (16), Justin Baltazar (15) and Kevin Racal (12) also joined the party by submitting double figures in scoring as Converge gifted Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda his first ever win as PBA coach.
Converge's Attack on Titan
The 37-point blowout by Titan Ultra came in the heels of the Giant Risers’ rousing upset of former All-Filipino Cup champion Meralco Bolts (100-96) in their debut game last Wednesday.
Compounding the woes of the Giant Risers was the early injury suffered by star forward Calvin Abueva (extended hamstring).
Pineda said the FiberXers just enjoyed their game.
"Yung pacing ng game na gusto namin, mabilis na pacing nagawa ng mga bata. And I think they enjoyed the game, yun ang pinaka-mahalaga doon," said Pineda.
The winning margin was the biggest so far in Converge franchise history and at the same time, the biggest posted by a debuting head coach in the league.
"First win ito ni Vice Gov (Pineda) as a head coach, so para sa kanya talaga ito," said Arana, whose 22 rebounds is a career high, posting his first 20-20 game in the league.
With Abueva sitting on the bench, Titan went to Joshua Munzon for the needed points and last season's Most Improved Player delivered with 31 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
But he was the only one to finish in double figures for the Giant Risers, who trailed by as many as 129-90.
The scores:
Converge 129 -- Arana 28, Winston 16, Gomez de Liano 15, Baltazar 15, Stockton 13, Racal 12, Suerte 8, Garcia 6, Raflores 5, Javillonar 5, Delos Santos 2, Caralipio 2, Monje 2, Santos 0.
Titan 92 -- Munzon 31, Cuntapay 9, Melecio 7, Yu 7, Balanza 7, Flores 5, Bringas 4, Ambohot 4, Martinez 4, Sumang 3, Abueva 2, Pessumal 2, Ular 2, Barasi 0.
Quarters: 29-20; 60-41; 91-62; 129-92.
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