ANTIPOLO – Converge managed to stay composed despite the jarring exit of Justin Arana by slapping Blackwater back to reality, 127-109, to take solo second in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
The FiberXers lost their lead big man just before the third quarter ended due to a hyper-extended left knee following an awkward side-step attempt, casting a cloud of anxiety at the Ynares Center here as he had to be aided to the dugout.
It happened at a time, too, where the Bossing were in the midst of a furious comeback attempt from a deficit as wide as 20 points, yet the youth-laden side sure did their best to remain collected — and it eventually bore fruit.
“We’re hoping for the best,” said acting head coach Franco Atienza, his fingers crossed that the 25-year-old Arana — who never returned to the game after the scary incident — would be all fine. “Hopefully, nothing serious.”
Jordan Heading led the way with 22 points, three rebounds, and five assists as he starred in their early fourth-quarter surge to restore order.
Cheick Diallo flirted with a 20-20 outing as he finished with 20 points and 18 rebounds, and added four assists in a turnover-less performance.
Justine Baltazar fired 20 points as well to reset his PBA career-high, and laced as much with 10 rebounds as the rookie helped their pullaway in the final frame in a solid effort stepping up after Arana went down with the injury.
Alec Stockton delivered 19 points and seven assists to help Converge hike its card to 8-3 and get ahead of Meralco, NorthPort, and Hong Kong Eastern after the four teams shared 7-3 cards at the no.2 spot on Saturday night.
It happened after the Bolts outlasted San Miguel by way of 100-93 decision at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur in an out-of-town special.
Soon, the FiberXers will have a crack at the Beermen on Friday, January 24, still at the Ynares Center to wrap up their elimination round campaign — and boost their bid of rising to the no. 1 spot should they beat the 4-5 team.
George King, on the other hand, finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists to lead Blackwater, which failed to make it two wins in a row after beating Terrafirma the last time out in a battle between two bottom-dwellers.
Jaydee Tungcab had 20 points while Justin Chua made 16 points for the Bossing, who dropped to 2-d and remained at no. 12 in the table.
Coach Jeff Cariaso and Co. will look to end the conference on a winning note entering their last two games against Phoenix and the Batang Pier.
The Scores:
Converge 127 – Heading 22, Baltazar 20, Diallo 20, Stockton 19, Delos Santos 10, Winston 10, Santos 8, Nieto 8, Arana 7, Racal 3, Caralipio 0, Andrade 0.
Blackwater 109 – King 34, Tungcab 20, Chua 16, David 14, Kwekuteye 10, Casio 6, Corteza 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Ayonayon 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 33-26, 70-56, 97-88, 127-109.
