CONVERGE moved on the verge of making the PBA playoffs for the first time in two years after outplaying title contender Meralco, 105-97, Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Third-year guard Alec Stockton teamed up with new import Jalen Jones in a sizzling windup to clinch win No. 5 for the FiberXers.
The team can formalize its entry to the quarterfinals by taking care of business against Magnolia in the final playdate of the Governors' Cup group stage next week.
Converge last advanced to the playoffs during the 2023-24 Governors’ Cup.
Barangay Ginebra then made it to the quarterfinals in the second game by making short work of Phoenix, 112-96.
The Gin Kings’ sixth win in nine outings also atoned for their 49-point blowout loss to San Miguel in their previous game.
With a 1-8 record, the Fuel Masters are officially out of contention for a quarterfinals spot.
Listed below are the takeaways in the Wednesday double-header at the NAS.
GOOD PROBLEM FOR CONVERGE
The FiberXers paraded replacement import Jones against Meralco and the former NBA player had a good account of himself by tallying 32 points and 10 rebounds. But while having Jones around, the team hasn’t let go just yet of original import Scotty Hopson, who is currently on the injured/reserved list after going down with a hip flexor injury.
Hopson of course, had carried Converge on his broad shoulders, including draining two game-winning four-point shots before being replaced by Jones. Hopson’s condition is day-to-day and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fully healed in time for the playoffs. Either way, the FiberXers have two solid choices on which import to utilize as they seek to go deep into their campaign this conference.
CJ CANSINO QUICKLY FINDS THE SWITCH AT MERALCO
If there’s a silver lining to Meralco’s sorry loss against Converge, it’s the coming out party for rookie Cansino. The former University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas stalwart scored a PBA career-best 21 points to pace all Bolts locals. He also added six rebounds and was 7-of-12 from the field, including a perfect 2-of-2 from three-point range.
Selected No. 11 overall by Meralco in the last draft, Cansino is another quality player Meralco has taken in the draft in the mold of Bong Quinto, Aaron Black, and Brandon Bates and who is expected to play a major role in the team’s campaign moving forward in the season.
RJ ABARRIENTOS COMING INTO HIS OWN
It's just been nine games into his PBA career, but Abarrientos appears to have already settled down at Ginebra. On Wednesday night, he received his first-ever Best Player of the Game honor after a game-high 24-point production in their 16-point win over Phoenix.
The nephew of PBA great Johnny Abarrientos was 3-of-5 from long distance and also had five rebounds and five assists in the Gin Kings’ bounce back win following their dismal loss to San Miguel. He also had the game’s highest of highlights when he converted on a one-handed layup with his back to the basket early in the first quarter. Following the win, coach Tim Cone said this is just the first of many Best Player of the Game nods the former Far Eastern University guard will receive in his pro career.
WILL JONATHAN WILLIAMS RETURN FOR PHOENIX?
The Fuel Masters bade their slim hopes of making the quarterfinals goodbye after the loss to Ginebra. Although they still have one game left in the group stage against NLEX on Friday, the team can now look forward to its campaign in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, the same conference where the Fuel Masters reached the semifinals last year behind Best Import Jonathan Williams.
The conference will feature no height limit among imports, meaning the 29-year-old Williams, who stands 6-foot-9, is qualified to play in a possible second tour of duty with Phoenix. But it remains a question mark if he’ll return to play for the franchise or if the Fuel Masters will go find a bigger import.
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