MANILA, Philippines – Converge stamped its class as a rising contender within the PBA because it took down Phoenix, 116-105, within the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, December 19.
Rallying from down 18, 20-2, within the early phases of the primary quarter, the FiberXers chalked up a hard-earned fourth win in six video games to put sixth forward of San Miguel (3-2), whereas the Gasoline Masters did not construct on its breakthrough victory to fall to a 1-5 card at eleventh.
Fil-Aussie sniper Jordan Heading led the spirited comeback with a team-high 21 factors, 3 rebounds, and game-highs of 6 assists and 5 steals in 36 minutes of motion. Import Cheick Diallo likewise scored 21 with 16 rebounds, whereas Schonny Winston and Bryan Santos added 16 factors apiece.
Prized rookie Justine Baltazar additionally made a stellar two-way affect in simply 25 minutes with 6 factors, 13 boards (8 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 block.
All the way in which up from its early deficit, Converge took its first lead midway by means of the third quarter off a pair of Santos free throws, 69-67, and someway by no means relinquished it the remainder of the way in which regardless of Phoenix coming inside a single possession a number of occasions all through the ultimate two frames.
The Gasoline Masters final threatened down one, 95-94, on the halfway level of the fourth earlier than the FiberXers lastly crushed all hope of a final momentum swing with a 9-0 surge, ending with a pair of Heading charities, 105-94, with 3:38 to play.
Import Donovan Smith paced the shedding trigger with a game-high 30-point, 18-rebound double-double in 44 minutes, whereas veteran sniper RJ Jazul scored 20 in 21 minutes off a 5-of-10 clip and 2-of-2 from four-point vary.
In the meantime, TNT cruised to back-to-back wins from a 0-2 begin after shellacking lowly Blackwater, 109-93.
Tremendous import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the balanced effort with 22 factors, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Rey Nambatac and Calvin Oftana led the native crew with 19 and 18 factors, respectively, as veteran Jayson Castro added 16 factors and three steals on a near-perfect 5-of-6 clip.
Prime import George King led all scorers with 28 factors in 42 minutes, whereas RK Ilagan was the one different double-digit scorer with 19 in simply as many minutes on the ground.
Blackwater fell to a 1-5 slate, simply above fellow cellar-dweller Terrafirma (0-6).
The Scores
First Recreation
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.
Second Recreation
TNT 109 – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 19, Oftana 18, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 10, Galinato 6, Erram 4, Razon 2, Varilla 0, Aurin 0, Exciminiano 0.
Blackwater 93 – King 28, Ilagan 19, Chua 9, Kwekuteye 9, David 8, Suerte 5, Escoto 4, Ponferrada 3, Montalbo 2, Casio 2, COrteza 2, Guinro 1, Ayonayon 1, Jopia 0, Hill 0.
Quarters : 28-18, 57-48, 82-69, 109-93.
– Rappler.com
