PBA: Alec Stockton lifts Converge past Meralco for crucial win

Converge FiberXers’ Alec Stockton against Meralco Bolts’ Brandon Bates during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Alec Stockton knocked down a pair of shots down the stretch to give Converge a stunning 105-97 win over quarterfinal-bound Meralco Wednesday that boosted its own bid in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Stockton put the FiberXers in front for good after draining a go-ahead triple followed by a jumper, both off Chris Banchero, to make it 101-97, even as the Bolts failed to convert their final three attempts of the contest.

The result enabled Converge to claim its third straight triumph, all decided in the latter moments, and overtake Magnolia for third in the group with a 5-4 record.

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Converge also gained ground on NorthPort, which sits fifth in Group A at 3-5.

Stockton finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals for the FiberXers, who avenged their lopsided loss to the Bolts in the first round.

Meralco dropped to 6-3, but remained in second in the group, and the loss assured TNT (7-1) of the top spot and a best-of-five quarterfinal meeting with the fourth-placer in Group B.

READ: PBA: Scotty Hopson hits 4-point game winner anew for Converge

Import Jalen Jones had 32 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals for the FiberXers in lieu of Scotty Hopson, who was out due to a leg injury.

Coach Franco Atienza said Hopson is listed as day-to-day, and the arrangement will depend on how well Converge’s original import heals up.

Meralco was led by import Allen Durham with 25 points, nine rebounds and six assists and rookie CJ Cansino, who had 21 points, including three free throws that gave the Bolts a 97-96 lead with 1:58 left before Stockton heat up for Converge.