CHEICK Diallo bounced back big time and led Converge to a 102-91 win over NLEX on Tuesday in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Diallo registered monster numbers of 37 points and 18 rebounds to help the FiberXers get back above the .500 mark with a 3-2 record as he made up for two sluggish games where he averaged a measly 11.5 points.
The win also marked the first for top rookie pick Justine Baltazar after losing in his debut game against Northport last week.
“Good bounce back game for CD. He proved his worth right here,” said Converge coach Franco Atienza of the 28-year-old import, a former NBA player.
“We’re least bit worried about having his numbers because this is a great league, and sometimes you get scouted, and teams plan for you. Right now it just so happened that we’re getting him, we’re seeing him, and guys are feeding off his strength.”
READ: Justine Baltazar stays locked in on getting better for Converge
Diallo had 12 of his output in the fourth period as he and Alec Stockton took turns in responding to every NLEX rally sparked by import Mike Watkins and Robert Bolick.
Stockton finished with 15 points, rookie Jordan Heading completed a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting from three-point range, while King Caralipio added 10.
Those numbers were enough to make up for Baltazar’s decent stats of four points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Franco though, isn’t concerned about the rookie not producing what was expected of him yet.
“If you look at the stats, medyo sasabihin ninyong it’s not good. But we always look at it in a bigger picture. Right now he had not the usual stats that he gets from his previous team. But overall, napakaganda ng presence niya sa loob,” said the Converge coach.
“He gives us added ceiling inside. He gives us added muscle inside. He was almost double digit in rebounds, and he attracts attention. And the attention that he gets, nao-overflow naman yun, kaya nagkakaroon ng opening yung mga guards namin.”
The Road Warriors fell to their second straight win to even its record at 3-3 despite getting 36 points and 23 rebounds from Watkins and 26 points from Bolick.
The scores
Converge 102 -- Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.
NLEX 91 -- Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.
Quarters: 28-18; 52-44; 77-72; 102-91.
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