SAN Miguel survived a Converge fightback, 105-96, on Saturday to claim its second straight win in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Tiaong Convention Center in Quezon.
The Beermen led by as many as 18 points and held on to the gap after the FiberXers made a comeback thanks to their three-point shooting.
June Mar douses Converge rally for San Miguel
San Miguel improved to 2-1 (win-loss) while dealing Converge its fourth loss in as many games in the league's first official out-of-town match in three years.
June Mar Fajardo put a halt to Converge's comeback bid, scoring eight straight points after San Miguel's lead went down to one, 85-84.
Ivan Aska finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds while CJ Perez added 24 points for the Beermen, who led, 47-29, in the second quarter.
Fajardo had 22 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks for a team dealing with injuries to Terrence Romeo, Jeron Teng, Vic Manuel, and Kyt Jimenez.
Jericho Cruz and Marcio Lassiter returned for San Miguel in the match. Cruz played 20 minutes and scored six points, and Lassiter saw action for just two minutes.
Converge nailed 15 threes in the game including one by Mac Tallo that kept the FiberXers to within one in the fourth before San Miguel turned to Fajardo.
Aljun Melecio had 17 points and made five threes, while Tom Vodanovich had 11 points and shot just 4-of-13 from the field for the FiberXers, who joined Rain or Shine at the bottom of the standings with a 4-0 card.
The scores:
San Miguel 105 - Aska 28, Perez 24, Fajardo 22, Enciso 8, Bulanadi 7, Ross 6, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 2, Lassiter 0.
Converge 96 - Melecio 17, Vodanovich 11, Santos 11, Balanza 10, Stockton 9, Fornilos 9, Tallo 8, Zaldivar 8, Winston 8, Arana 5, Racal 0, Wong 0.
Quarters: 24-12; 50-37; 74-67; 105-96.
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