Converge extinguished Phoenix Super LPG in a high-octane showdown by way of a 132-127 result to stretch its winning streak to six in the 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Quincy Miller joined hands with Maverick Ahanmisi, Aljun Melecio, and Jeron Teng for the key 8-0 run towards the 127-116 lead with 3:42 left, eventually steering themselves toward their seventh victory in nine outings.
“We tried to simplify our plays because we were disrupted by their zone press. We got delayed by their zone press so we just called our short plays. ‘Yun lang naman ang adjustment na ginawa namin,” offered head coach Aldin Ayo.
“We made sure na malagay sa tamang pwesto ‘yung mga players, mailagay sila doon sa sitwasyon na makaka-score sila,” the youthful mentor added.
Miller powered the FiberXers with a PBA career-high 46 points, which saw him fire eight of his team’s 22 three-pointers — just one short of tying the all-time league record. He shot 52-percent from the floor overall.
The former NBA cager also collected 18 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and three blocks, redeeming himself from that early ejection in their last game against Earl Clark and NLEX just last Saturday in Antipolo.
Converge also received yet another stellar outing from Teng, who finished with a season-high 25 points alongside nine rebounds and four dimes.
RK Ilagan was instrumental as well with a career-high 22 points on a 53.8-percent clip, on top of two rebounds, two steals, and a steal.
The win, though, didn’t come easily — and hardly pleased Ayo as he rued the way his wards played in the closing moments, where they allowed the Fuel Masters to come within just four with 52 seconds left.
“We want the players to be consistent, and kung hindi pa tumutunog ‘yung final buzzer, dapat dire-diretso ‘yung laro,” he said. “It happened na we were up … we relaxed, and we had a turnover, and they were able to convert it.
“Then, hindi kami naka-stop. Two consecutive possessions in that we did not execute our game plan. Crucial kasi ‘yun. If we cannot finish the game the right way, mahirap manalo So it’s all about finishing hard, and being consistent,” he continued.
Ayo, like what he’s said multiple times in the past, wants the FiberXers to be consistent all throughout, and they have a chance to prove the bench tactician when they go up against Rain or Shine this Sunday, 6:45, at the Big Dome.
“To be honest, we’re winning but in a way, our game is, in a way, deteriorating,” said Ayo, whose side has improved to 7-2 to rise to solo second.
“Umalis kami doon sa sistema namin against NLEX just to win the game. Itong laro na ‘to, umalis din kami sa sistema namin kasi very unconventional ‘yung approach ni Coach Topex [Robinson]. So medyo bumababa,” he added.
Meanwhile, Phoenix was led by the 25 points and 21 rebounds of import Kaleb Wesson in the loss that also wasted the impressive collective outing of the squad, which saw a total of seven players finish in double figures.
The trio of Encho Serrano, Javee Mocon, and Sean Anthony had 17 points apiece. The returning Jason Perkins had 14 points, while RJ Jazul and Tyler Tio made 12 apiece in the defeat that ended their five-game winning streak.
The Fuel Masters now hope to rebound quickly on Saturday against the league-leading Magnolia (6-1) at 6:45 p.m. at the Ynares Center.
The Scores:
Converge 132 – Miller 46, Teng 25, Ilagan 22, Ahanmisi 13, Melecio 9, Arana 6, Stockton 6, Murrell 5, Ambohot 0, Bulanadi 0, Tratter 0.
Phoenix 127 – Wesson 25, Mocon 17, Anthony 17, Serrano 17, Perkins 14, Tio 12, Jazul 12, Garcia 3, Manganti 4, Camacho 2, Pascual 2, Robles 2, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 36-36, 73-74, 107-102, 132-127.
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
