Converge formalized the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinal picture by downing Magnolia, 89-82, Monday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Jalen Jones and Deschon Winston powered the FiberXers’ fourth-quarter sprint toward clinching the third seed in Group A with a 6-4 record — and head into the playoffs’ opening round riding a hot four-game winning streak as well.
Once in a tough spot when it lost three games in a row, the crew is now set for a best-of-5 showdown with Group B’s second seed in San Miguel Beer (6-4), marking the third meeting between the two teams in the quarters.
“‘Yung last two ata noon, parang we were on the disadvantage ng twice-to-beat, ngayon, it’s an even slate,” said interim coach Franco Atienza.
“Medyo malaking challenge ‘yun against San Miguel. We want to build on what we’re doing right. We finished strong in the elims, hopefully, we carry it over and do better (in the playoffs),” the young mentor furthered.
Jones top-scored for Converge with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Arana finished with his own double-double of 12 points and 12 boards as well.
Alec Stockton and Winston scored 10 points apiece and combined for nine rebounds as a total of nine players scored at least two in the victory.
“We chopped off our goals, little parts, the first one being making the quarters. Right now, we somehow got that but it doesn’t end here,” said Atienza.
The loss, on the other hand, sent the Hotshots to the no. 4 seed in the group, and will take on Group B’s best team in Rain or Shine in the next round.
“We will face the no. 1 team with a lot of talent and a very good import. We’ll just try to be ready. We want our players to stay healthy,” said Victolero.
Peter Alfaro and Calvin Abueva had 11 each in the loss, which also spoiled the debut of Rayvonte Rice, the replacement for the injured Shabazz Muhammad.
The seasoned pro only had five points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in the loss in the 27 minutes he played.
“But we know naman na merong ilalabas yung import namin. Siguro he needs lang a little more time to adjust to the PBA style of play,” Victolero said.
Starting on Wednesday, the other quarters brackets will feature rivalries — from the Meralco-Ginebra tiff, to an all-MVP duel between TNT and NLEX.
The Scores:
Converge 89 – Jones 27, Arana 12, Stockton 10, Winston 10, Caralipio 9, Santos 8, Andrade 7, Delos Santos 4, Melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Ambohot 0, Fornilos 0, Fleming 0, Nieto 0, Zaldivar 0.
Magnolia 82 – Abueva 11, Alfaro 11, Sangalang 8, Balanza 8, Eriobu 8, Laput 7, Ahanmisi 6, Rice 5, Mendoza 5, Barroca 5, Reavis 2, Escoto 2, Lucero 2, Dionisio 2, Dela Rosa 0.
Quarterscores: 18-27, 41-50, 73-68, 89-82.
