CONVERGE overcame a flat start to defeat Phoenix, 116-105, on Thursday and post its first win streak in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The FiberXers fell behind, 20-2, but mounted a comeback in the second half to grab their first back-to-back wins of the conference and improve to 4-2 (win-loss).
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Converge dealt Phoenix its fifth loss in six games ahead of the FiberXers’ marquee clash against Barangay Ginebra on Saturday in Batangas City.
Jordan Heading had 21 points, six assists, and five steals for the FiberXers while fellow rookie Justine Baltazar had 13 rebounds - 8 of them from the offensive end - in his best game in Asia's pioneering pro league.
“They (Phoenix) came out really prepared and caught us surprised,” said Converge coach Franco Atienza. “Credit to their staff. It’s something new that they threw our way. But credit to our guys. They didn’t panicked and returned to how we want to run our system, our offense, and defense.”
The FiberXers began to hit their shots in the second quarter, outscoring the Fuelmasters, 33-24, to slowly close the gap.
Converge first tasted the lead in the third on two free throws by Bryan Santos. The FIberXers eventually outscored the Fuelmasters once again in the period, 39-26.
Cheick Diallo had 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Schonny Winston and Santos had 16 points apiece. Alec Stockton and BJ Andrade had 14 and 11 points apiece, completing the cast of multiple players who scored in double digits for Converge.
Donovan Smith totalled 30 points and 18 rebounds, while RJ Jazul tallied 20 points on 2-for-2 shooting from fours and 3-for-8 from threes as the Fuelmasters couldn’t pick up their second straight win after getting their first just last Tuesday against NorthPort.
The scores:
Converge 116 – Heading 21, Diallo 21, Winston 16, Santos 16, Stockton 14, Andrade 11, Arana 6, Baltazar 6, Racal 5, Delos Santos 0, Caralipio 0.
Phoenix 105 – Smith 30, Jazul 20, Tio 13, Perkins 12, Rivero 11, Tuffin 8, Verano 4, Garcia 3, Soyud 2, Manganti 2, Salado 0, Alejandro 0, Muyang 0, Ular 0, Daves 0.
Quarters: 15-30; 48-54; 87-80; 116-105.
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