ANTIPOLO – Converge finally laid a harrowing five-game skid to rest by venting all its frustrations on Titan Ultra, 103-82, for only its second win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at the Ynares Center here.
Now with a complete lineup for the second game in a row, the FiberXers blew out their foes in the second frame, 30-18, for a 57-41 lead at the half, and then broke away for good late in the third on the way to getting back on track.
But it’s more just than returning to their ways for this young crew, as the win shall give them back the confidence they lost after a triumphant tournament opener against Macau, keeping their quarterfinal hopes alive as well.
(C) PBA Images
“Talagang wala nang tigil ang dasal para makuha po ‘yung pangalawang panalo,” exhaled Coach Delta Pineda. “‘Yung stats namin hindi na nalalayo the last four games. Unti-unti, ‘yung chemistry ng mga bata, na-bi-build na po.”
Converge improved to 2-5 in the standings as a result, also giving themselves some momentum entering a tough stretch ahead in which they will be taking on Magnolia and defending conference champions TNT, in that order.
They will take on the Hotshots this Sunday, April 19, in the same venue, then the Bol Bol-led Tropang 5G on April 22 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“We need to face them, we need to prepare for every team na makakaharap namin. But one thing’s for sure: ibibigay namin ‘yung best namin sa mga remaining games namin, at we maintain ‘yung stats namin,” Pineda said.
All 12 players fielded scored at least a field goal in the win, with four finishing in double figures, led by Justin Arana with 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting.
Juan Gomez de Liano, who returned to the lineup in their loss to Rain or Shine the last time out, delivered 15 points and six rebounds plus two assists.
Calvin Abueva made 14 points and five rebounds in his second game with Converge, performing solidly against his former team.
Kylor Kelley had 10 points and 14 rebounds plus three blocks for the FiberXers, who finished with 25 assists and shot 47.6 percent from the floor.
(C) PBA Images
The Giant Risers, on the other hand, got sent crashing back to earth as they failed to follow up their 102-98 victory against Blackwater the last time out.
Michael Gilmore led the way with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Joshua Munzon made 15 points and six of the team’s nine steals, while Pao Javillonar and Ato Ular added 11 each in the defeat, which dragged their record to 2-4.
Titan Ultra will next face the streaking Tropang 5G (4-2), currently joint-fourth in the standings, this Saturday, April 18, at the Ynares Center II in Montalban.
The Scores:
Converge 103 – Arana 19, Gomez de Liano 15, Abueva 14, Kelley 10, Baltazar 9, Garcia 8, Williams 8, Stockton 6, Concepcion 5, Policarpio 5, Clemente 2, Muyang 2.
Titan Ultra 82 – Gilmore 26, Munzon 15, Javillonar 11, Ular 11, Balanza 8, Yu 4, Sajonia 3, Flores 2, Caralipio 2, Dionisio 0, Omega 0, Ambohot 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 27-23, 57-41, 78-60, 103-82.
