Quincy Miller and Maverick Ahanmisi typified endgame resolve as Converge caught a big fish in San Miguel, 106-102, to chalk up its third win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Heroes of the Meralco conquest last week, the two scored the last four of the FiberXers’ 11-0 run en route to a 106-100 lead with 45.1 seconds left, more than enough to avert disaster after the team blew a 17-point third-quarter lead.
Miller nearly finished with a triple-double of 24 points, 16 rebounds, and nine blocks, while Ahanmisi supplied 10 markers and seven boards as the young team improved to 3-2 by registering their first win streak of the tilt.
“We still have lots of problems in terms of consistency. It will take some time. Hopefully. We’re fortunate we won today, but there are still lots that have to be worked on,” said head coach Aldin Ayo.
Aljun Melecio made his presence felt in the victory with 18 points and seven assists. Jeron Teng supplied 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Mike DiGregorio provided a surprise spark with 12 markers.
“Well, it doesn’t stop, really. I mean, I always tell the team that we have to continue building and growing. We’re a young team,” said Ayo.
Converge also spoiled the debut of import Devon Scott for San Miguel, who struggled to find his shot as he went just 7-for-18 from the field on the way to finishing 16 points, on top of 15 rebounds and six assists.
Still, the Ohio native contributed in the Beermen’s rally down the stretch, where they unfurled an 11-0 run for a 100-95 lead with 4:37 left.
However, Leo Austria’s wards could not find the mark all of a sudden after that run, and the FiberXers pounced on the opportunity with their own 11-0 blitz.
CJ Perez had 29 points to lead SMB, who absorbed its second loss in a row and dropped to 1-3. Mo Tautuaa had 23 and 10.
The Scores:
Converge 106 – Miller 24, Melecio 18, Teng 13, DiGregorio 12, Ahanmisi 10, Bulanadi 8, Ilagan 8, Arana 7, Tratter 3, Stockton 3, Hill 0.
San Miguel 102 – Perez 29, Tautua 21, Scott 16, Lassiter 7, Enciso 6, Herndon 6, Manuel 6, Brondial 3, Ross 0.
Quarterscores: 33-24, 59-48, 86-79, 106-102
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
