Converge’s Maverick Ahanmisi in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Converge overcame a huge second half rally orchestrated by Meralco and came away with a 106-99 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Maverick Ahanmisi scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter on four triples as the FiberXers refused to falter even after squandering a big lead to go in the 2-2 in the midseason conference.
“It’s a good win after two consecutive losses,” said coach Aldin Ayo, who won on the day he celebrated his 45th birthday. “The way we won showed our character. We lost a [22-point lead] but we were able to recover,” he added.
Import Quincy Miller scored 29 points, including a three-point play that put Converge ahead 98-97 with 1:37 to go in the match.
Ahanmisi’s final triple, 39 ticks left, made it 102-97 to virtually seal the outcome for Converge after wasting a 68-46 late in the second quarter.
The Bolts got back behind import Johnny O’Bryant, who after nursing four fouls in the first half made 22 of his 27 points after the break.
But O’Bryant and the Bolts couldn’t sustain a three-point lead as Ahanmisi delivered on his way to a season-high despite Miller sitting out for three minutes midway in the final canto.
Meralco dropped to 1-3, spoiling the return of coach Norman Black after missing last week’s win over Terrafirma due to health and safety protocols.
The scores:
CONVERGE 106 — Miller 29, Ahanmisi 21, Bulanadi 12, Teng 11, Ilagan 10, Tratter 9, Melecio 8, Stockton 4, Racal 2, Ambohot 0.
MERALCO 99 — O’Bryant 27, Black 18, Maliksi 14, Caram 14, Quinto 12, Hodge 10, Pasaol 4, Johnson 0, Almazan 0, Jose 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 35-26, 68-48, 87-82, 106-99.