PBA: Converge battles back to edge Magnolia
Converge’s Alec Stockton takes a jumper against Magnolia in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES
Converge clawed back from a big hole to stun Magnolia, 93-91, and get back on track in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Alec Stockton and Justin Arana joined hands for the FiberXers’ gutsy escape act that had the club improving to 2-1 (win-loss) after the new conference opened just last Wednesday.
Article continues after this advertisementThe crafty guard hit a big three to knot the affair at 91-all, before setting up Arana’s go-ahead layup with five ticks left, ultimately erasing the Hotshots’ once 20-point cushion and then handing the traditional powerhouse its first loss in the tournament.
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“We just grind it out. We were down 15 in the half, 20 in the third,” said interim coach Franco Atienza. “We just leveraged our system. Individually, there was no way we were gutting out a win.”
“We needed something like this—like a playoff game. It’s a good win for a young franchise, team like us. This is what makes players—grind out games like this,” he went on.
Article continues after this advertisementArana had 24 points and seven rebounds while Stockton added 18 in the effort. Kevin Racal played his finest game in a long while with 10 points off the bench, while import Cheick Diallo tossed in 10 points and 16 rebounds.
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Hotshots reinforcement Ricardo Ratliffe led the way with 25 points and 19 rebounds, while rookie Jerom Lastimosa paced the locals with 14 points. Ian Sangalang, Jerrick Ahanmisi, Paul Lee, and Zav Lucero all finished with twin-digit scores.
Magnolia looked on track for a 2-0 start earlier in the night even without the injured Calvin Abueva (back spasms) but had very few answers for the FiberXers who behind Arana feasted in the final period.
Converge and Magnolia both play upstart NorthPort for their next assignment in the race where there are no height restrictions for imports and guest team Hong Kong Eastern is playing.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 93 – Arana 24, Stockton 18, Racal 10, Diallo 10, Heading 8, Santos 8, Andrade 5, Winston 5, Nieto 3, Delos Santos 2
MAGNOLIA 91 – Ratliffe 25, Lastimosa 14, Sangalang 12, Ahanmisi 12, Lee 10, Lucero 10, Barroca 6, Laput 2, Dela Rosa 0, Dionisio 0
Quarterscores: 22-26, 38-53, 67-75, 93-91.
