CONVERGE got back to its winning ways, crushing Blackwater, 111-80, on Sunday in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar each had another double-double as the FiberXers bounced back from their loss to Magnolia last Wednesday to get back to .500 at 2-2 (win-loss).
The Bossing fell to 0-2.
COLUMN: How Phoenix beat Meralco after losing to lowly Terrafirma
Arana had 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Baltazar had 16 points and 10 rebounds for Converge, which also got 16 points from Schonny Winston.
Converge’s shooting finally clicked on Sunday when it shot 41 of 81 from the field including an 11-of-22 clip on threes.
But head coach Franco Atienza credited Converge’s defense as Chirstian David was held scoreless after making 31 in the previous game against Magnolia, and Sedrick Barefield was limited to only five after going for 24 against the Hotshots.
Blackwater also shot just 35 percent from the field.
“We know we will get our shots but if we want to be a contender, we have to tighten up our defense,” said Converge coach Franco Atienza. “However cliché it may sound, you win games with offense pero if you want to go deep, ‘yung defense should be there.
"I’m proud of the guys, we limited [Meralco] to 80 points.”
With David and Barefield struggling, RK Ilagan carried the load with 19 points, while Richard Escoto added 11 but it was not enough for Blackwater.
The scores:
Converge 111 – Arana 19, Winston 16, Baltazar 16, Suerte 11, B. Santos 10, Garcia 9, Delos Santos 7, Racal 5, Stockton 4, Vigan-Fleming 4, Caralipio 4, Corpuz 4, Santos 2, Nermal 1.
Blackwater 80 – Ilagan 19, Escoto 11, Tungcab 9, Chua 9, Caperal 7, Kwekuteye 6, Barefield 5, Jopia 4, Guinto 3, Andrade 3, Ayonayon 2, Mitchell 2, Casio 0, Mallillin 0, David 0.
Quarters: 21-14; 49-38; 81-53; 111-80.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
