PBA: Converge escapes Blackwater to bolster playoff bid

Converge rookie Justin Arana. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Converge shored up its bid for a playoff spot after surviving Blackwater on Wednesday, 92-90, in the PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rookie Justin Arana made big plays on both ends of the court, hitting a tough basket to knot the contest at 90-all with 34 ticks remaining.

The 4th overall pick of the Rookie Draft then erased a JVee Casio layup before hitting the marginal basket with 8.4 left on the clock.

Barkley Eboña had a chance to send the game into overtime but the forward muffed a gimme, dooming the Bossing to their fifth loss in 10 meetings.

Arana finished with 13 points and five rebounds to go with Maverick Ahanmisi’s 18 points, four rebounds, and seven assists for Converge, with rose to 5-6.

Abu Tratter added 10 more as the FiberXers now await the result of Magnolia and Rain or Shine’s game.

A victory by the Hotshots will seal the quarterfinal berths for the FiberXers, the Bossing, and the NLEX Road Warriors.

Already qualified are San Miguel Beer, defending champion TNT, Barangay Ginebra, Magnolia, Meralco.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 92 – Ahanmisi 18, Arana 13, Tratter 10, Stockton 9, Bulanadi 8, Ilagan 8, DiGregorio 7, Hill 6, Tolomia 4, Murrell 4, Adamos 2, Racal 2, Ambohot 1, Browne 0.

BLACKWATER 90 – Ganuelas-Rosser 20, Casio 16, Amer 14, Suerte 12, Sena 9, Ebona 6, Taha 4, Melton 4, McCarthy 3, Publico 2, Ayonayon 0, Escoto 0, Dyke 0.

QUARTERS: 28-23, 46-47, 63-70, 92-90