MANILA, Philippines – Converge squandered an enormous lead however nonetheless received the job finished in opposition to San Miguel, 100-97, on Wednesday, June 11, on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to enter the playoffs of the PBA Philippine Cup on a profitable excessive.
Schonny Winston fell only a level wanting tying his profession excessive as he fired 25 factors to go together with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and a pair of steals to assist the FiberXers finish the elimination spherical with a 7-4 file even after they blew an 18-point lead.
Winston steadied the ship when Converge discovered itself observing an 89-93 deficit with underneath 4 minutes remaining after a CJ Perez four-pointer put the Beermen forward.
He knocked down a three-pointer and a two-pointer in succession to regain the higher hand for the FiberXers, 94-93, earlier than a JL de los Santos triple and a King Caralipio layup allowed Converge to create ample separation.
It was a morale-boosting victory in opposition to a San Miguel facet tipped to contend for the crown this convention, however Winston stated the FiberXers must preserve hammering away because the quarterfinals close to.
“This recreation mattered however the playoff recreation is when it actually will get turned up and the warmth is on you,” stated Winston.
“We performed laborious immediately and we received a extremely good win, however we have now to proceed to work laborious and return into the lab and prepare for the playoffs.”
Justin Arana chipped in 21 factors and three assists for Converge, De Los Santos equipped 13 factors and three rebounds, whereas Justine Baltazar added 7 factors, 12 rebounds, 3 steals, and a pair of blocks.
FiberXers star Alec Stockton struggled offensively and put up simply 7 factors on 2-of-12 taking pictures, though he was the one who gave Converge its greatest lead of the sport at 37-55 early within the third quarter.
That cushion, nevertheless, slowly vanished because the Beermen chipped away at its deficit, and by the top of the interval, they have been down by only a single possession, 68-70.
June Mar Fajardo dominated for San Miguel with 17 factors, 23 rebounds, and 4 assists, whereas Perez additionally netted 17 factors with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
Beginning ahead Don Trollano knocked down his solely discipline purpose of the sport with a minute left when he sank a four-pointer to tug the Beermen inside 97-99, however the FiberXers held on.
Mo Tautuaa had 14 factors and 6 rebounds within the loss that dropped San Miguel to 7-3.
Earlier, NorthPort — already out of rivalry — performed spoiler and upset No. 1 NLEX in a 113-108 win.
Cade Flores posted a career-high 26 factors with 15 rebounds and a pair of steals because the Batang Pier snapped an eight-game dropping streak and complex the Street Warriors’ bid of clinching the highest seed.
Going two full months with out a win since its conference-opening victory over Terrafirma final April 12, NorthPort constructed a double-digit lead within the fourth quarter and held off a livid NLEX comeback.
“We wish to finish the convention on a excessive word and construct on this for our marketing campaign subsequent convention,” stated Batang Pier assistant coach Rensy Bajar.
NorthPort improved to 2-8, whereas the Street Warriors fell to 8-3.
The Scores
First recreation
NorthPort 113 – Flores 26, Yu 21, Abueva 19, Munzon 8, Balanza 7, Nelle 7, Onwubere 6, Bulanadi 6, Nava 5, Jalalon 3, Taha 3, Cuntapay 2, Kwekuteye 0.
NLEX 108 – Herndon 21, Ramirez 16, Bolick 16, Policarpio 12, Alas 12, Bahio 11, Torres 11, Valdez 9, Amer 0.
Quarters: 22-30, 46-54, 86-76, 113-108.
Second recreation
Converge 100 – Winston 25, Arana 21, Delos Santos 13, Stockton 7, Baltazar 7, R. Santos 6, B.Santos 6, Garcia 5, Racal 3, Caralipio 2, Corpuz 0.
San Miguel 97 – Fajardo 17, Perez 17, Tautuaa 14, Tiongson 13, Rosales 11, Cruz 8, Teng 4, Trollano 4, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Brondial 3, Ross 0.
Quarters: 19-12, 53-37, 70-68, 100-97.
– Rappler.com
