ANTIPOLO — Cam Clark’s arrival brought renewed hope as Converge ended its harrowing four-game slide in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup by walloping Terrafirma, 120-103, at the Ynares Center here on Tuesday.
The comebacking import was signed in an attempt to turn their fortunes around before it’s too late. And their partnership got off to a good start as the FiberXers won for the first time since a 3-0 start to the season-ending tilt.
“Yung participation ng import, nakita naman ho natin,” said Coach Delta Pineda. “Especially nung humahabol sila, ang laking bagay po ng contribution ng import natin. Kayo na po ang magsabi kumpara po sa mga nakaraan namin.”
(C) PBA Images
Previously of guest team Hong Kong Eastern, the 34-year-old forward top-billed in the balanced attack with 22 points and five rebounds. He even led the key rally late in the opening period toward a 38-23 lead, which put them ahead for good.
Clark was also there to help restore order after the Dyip threatened by cutting a massive gap to just 10 early in the fourth quarter, knocking down a three, which then triggered a quick 10-0 run for the 101-81 lead with 8:23 remaining.
Converge then cruised to the 17-point win to improve its record to an even 4-4, maintaining as well its grip on the no.4 spot in Group A.
“Kailangan na kailangan namin talaga ‘tong panalo over Terrafirma kasi sila po ang halos ka-tie namin. And, masyado na pong malalim ‘yung apat na sunod na talo. Kailangan na ho mag-bounce back,” said Pineda.
Justin Arana led the locals with 20 points and 12 rebounds, with Calvin Abueva notching a second straight double-double showing with 17 and 11.
“‘Yung last conference medyo kumakapa,” he said. “This conference medyo nagkakakumpiyansa na. Sinasabi ko nga, pag pinasok ako, yung minuto ko, tatrabahuhin ko e. That’s why, ayun nga, tinrabaho ko naman, I’m happy.”
Juan Gomez de Liano scored 13 points with six rebounds and eight assists as the lefty guard scored and assisted in the aforementioned run.
Jaydee Tungcab turned in a solid outing with 13 points while Justine Baltazar supplied 12 points and three steals for the FiberXers, who will next face current Group A leaders NLEX on Friday, August 14, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PBA Images
Terrafirma, on the other hand, was led by Justin Strings with 28 points and 11 rebounds in the disappointing loss. The crew failed to follow up the 114-109 upset they pulled off against the Road Warriors.
Juami Tiongson had 21 points, while Geo Chiu came through with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Joseph Eriobu made 12 points.
Maverick Ahanmisi added a 10-7-7 stat line for the Dyip, who fell to 3-5 and remained outside the pool’s top four.
The Scores:
Converge 120 – Clark 20, Arana 20, Abueva 17, Gomez de Liano 13, Tungcab 13, Baltazar 12, Williams 9, Garcia 9, Muyang 3, Stockton 2, Concepcion 0.
Terrafirma 103 – Strings 28, Tiongson 21, Chiu 16, Eriobu 12, Ahanmisi 10, Bravo 9, Paraiso 7, Mariano 0, Catapusan 0, Hanapi 0, Umali 0.
Quarterscores: 38-23, 70-48, 91-79, 120-103.
