Converge relied on Cheick Diallo to repel NLEX in the fourth quarter and take the 102-91 decision to return to its winning ways in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The former NBA big man finished with 37 points and 18 rebounds as he was the stabilizing presence that the FiberXers badly needed when their foes threatened by a field goal after being down by double digits for most of the game.
He scored 12 of his points in the aforementioned period, including his team’s last six points to dash the Road Warriors’ comeback hopes – and, more importantly, get back on track after bowing to NorthPort the last time out.
Converge improved to 3-2 by sending its foes spiraling to their second loss in a row, dropping to an even 3-3 record in the conference standings.
“Whenever you’re coming off a loss, it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth,” offered acting head coach Franco Atienza. “So, we just wanted to go back to what we are doing right, and review where we could improve.
“A good bounce-back game for CD, he proved his worth right here,” he added. “Although we’re least worried about his numbers because this is a great league and sometimes you get scouted… Now guys are feeding off his strength.”
Alec Stockton supplied 16 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals while Jordan Heading had a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 assists as the backcourt tandem also played key roles in warding off NLEX.
Stockton himself helped restore order when their foes knocked within just two, 84-82, early in the fourth, nailing a triple and then a leaner from the free throw line to make it an 89-82 spread with less than eight minutes to go.
Heading would do his part minutes later, nailing a triple off a broken possession to give themselves the 96-86 lead approaching the last three minutes.
But then, it was mostly Diallo who did much of the damage, eventually finishing with his best performance of the tilt since dropping 43 albeit in a losing effort against Hong Kong Eastern last November 29 in the same venue.
“First of all, this is a team win,” offered the 28-year-old out of Kansas. “We just gotta follow the scouting report and thank the coaching staff for doing a great job preparing us for the game. Everybody was on the same page.”
King Caralipio added 10 for the FiberXers, who will next face Phoenix on Thursday still at NAS – their second of three games within a five-day stretch.
“We’re gonna take it game by game,” Diallo said. “We got another one in a few days. Tomorrow we’ll just recover, practice, come back and play again.”
Mike Watkins, meanwhile, had 36 and 23 to lead the Road Warriors in the loss that also spoiled the debut of assistant coach Siot Tanquingcen.
Robert Bolick was his lone support with 26 points on 20 attempts and six assists, which he laced with a steal and a block each.
NLEX will try to bounce back quickly when it takes on the struggling Magnolia this Friday, December 20, 7:30 PM at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Scores:
Converge 102 – Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 52-44, 77-72, 102-91.
