Juan Gomez de Liano turned Friday night into his own showcase, exploding for a career-best performance to power Converge past Ginebra, 106-96, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former PBA D-League MVP was simply unstoppable, firing a career-high 32 points on an ultra-efficient 13-of-16 clip while adding six rebounds and six assists.
His masterful outing anchored the FiberXers’ late-game surge, breaking away from a 72-all tie entering the fourth quarter. The team then unleashed a 34-24 finishing kick to secure their fifth win of the conference.
“It’s a statement game for us, showing we can compete with the league’s top dogs,” said the well-travelled guard from University of the Philippines, who credited his eruption to the trust given by the coaching staff.
(C) PBA Images
The moment was even more meaningful for him as family members filled the stands to witness his breakout.
“It’s truly a special moment with our family, something we dreamt of,” he added.
Converge’s victory created a five-way logjam for second at 5-2 alongside San Miguel, NLEX, Rain or Shine, and Magnolia, with TNT slightly ahead at 5-1.
And Juan didn’t do it alone.
Justin Arana posted a steady 13-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Deschon Winston exploded off the bench for 21 markers. Justine Baltazar delivered an all-around line of 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Their collective effort helped Converge add another strong win to earlier triumphs over Titan Ultra, Terrafirma, Phoenix, and Blackwater.
“Yung attitude na gusto namin — no surrender, fight till the end, keep on running. Yun ang naibigay na output sa amin,” said head coach Delta Pineda, whose young squad outpaced and outshot the Gin Kings all night.
(C) PBA Images
Ginebra dropped to 2-4 following the defeat, unable to keep stride with Converge’s relentless pace in the final frame.
The Scores:
Converge 106 – Gomez de Liano 32, Winston 21, Arana 13, Baltazar 12, Stockton 9, Concepcion 6, Garcia 4, Muyang 3, Javillonar 2, Delos Santos 2, Racal 2, Caralipio 0, Clemente 0, Santos 0, Eguilos 0.
Ginebra 96 – Holt 24, Abarrientos 24, Thompson 10, David 10, J. Aguilar 7, Gray 7, Cu 6, Rosario 6, Torres 2, R. Aguilar 0.
Quarterscores: 26-24, 54-49, 72-72, 106-96
