Converge fortifies Top 2 bid, spills Blackwater

Sports

WITH three players scoring at least 20 points each, the Converge FiberXers had less trouble dispatching the Blackwater Bossing, 127-109, on Sunday night, January 19, in the 49th PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Unleashing its potent offensive might, the FiberXers boosted their Top 2 finish bid by moving up to solo second with its eighth win in 11 matches.

The TNT Tropang GIga leads the standings with a 6-2 (win-loss) slate. Finishing in the Top 2 after the eliminations will be crucial as it carries a crucial twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round.

Jordan Heading spearheaded Converge with a team-high 22 points on 3-of-5 shooting from three-point range, import Cheick Dialo tallied 20 markers and 18 rebounds while Justine Baltazar threw in 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Converge’s last game in the eliminations will be against the defending champions San Miguel Beermen on Friday, January 24.

Alec Stockton narrowly missed Converge’s 20-point party as he finished with 19 points. JL Delos Santos and Deschon Winston pitched in 10 markers apiece in Converge’s balanced attack.

George King had a solid outing, recording 34 points13 rebounds, and six assists but Blackwater found itself on the brink of elimination after suffering its eighth defeat in 10 games.

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.(CCM)