Converge clinched a quarterfinal berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup following a 152-119 mauling of Titan Ultra on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The FiberXers scored the game’s first 11 points before breaking away in the third, notching their fourth consecutive win. They also again joined TNT at third in Group A as they sport similar 6-4 records.
With this result, Coach Delta Pineda’s team has become the fourth and last team from the pool to reach the playoffs, joining current leaders NLEX (8-2), San Miguel Beer (7-3), and reigning conference champions Tropang 5G.
This means that the Giant Risers are formally out of contention, as they fell to a 2-9 record. Also eliminated were Terrafirma and guest team Macau.
(C) PBA Images
“I think our only position right now is either 3 or 4, kaya crucial pa rin ‘yung game namin against TNT. Ano lang, one game at a time,” Pineda offered, as the team still wants to earn a more favorable position entering the quarterfinals.
Juan Gomez de Liano starred in the victory with a triple-double of 32 points on 12-of-14 shooting from the field, 12 rebounds, and 13 assists in 33 minutes.
Cam Clark finished with 30 points, as he powered their strong start into the match that put them ahead. Justine Baltazar registered 20 points and 11 rebounds, with Alec Stockton adding a 16-4-5 stat line.
Calvin Abueva made 15 points, four rebounds, six assists, and four steals against his ex-team. Justin Arana and Jonnel Policarpio added 11 markers apiece, as seven players finished in double digits in the victory.
(C) PBA Images
Titan Ultra, on the other hand, were led by Tirrell Brown with 31 points in the loss, which spoiled the debut of new head coach Raymond Valenzona.
The son of legendary mentor Turo Valenzona is already the team’s third coach in this season alone after Johnedel Cardel and Rensy Bajar.
Joshua Munzon, who recently signed a new three -year deal, had 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Aris Dionisio added 16 markers for Titan Ultra.
The Scores:
Converge 152 – Gomez de Liano 32, Clark 30, Baltazar 20, Stockton 16, Abueva 15, Policarpio 11, Arana 11, Tungcab 7, Garcia 4, Williams 4, Clemente 2, Concepcion 0, Santos 0
Titan Ultra 119 – Brown 31, Munzon 22, Dionisio 16, Garcia 8, Wong 8, Pessumal 7, Omega 5, Caralipio 5, Yu 4, Ular 4, Inigo 3, Amores 2, Javillonar 2, Deles 2
Quarterscores: 38-27, 71-60, 99-90, 152-119.
