PBA: Converge crushes Blackwater by 31 to earn second win

Converge FiberXers’ Justin Arana during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Converge stepped on the gas pedal late in the second quarter and after halftime to roll past Blackwater, 111-80, Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A close game at the start, the FiberXers would soon take command behind their outside shooting before the lead ballooned in the second half on their way to getting a second win after four matches in the eliminations.

Schonny Winston scored 16 points with three rebounds and five assists while the frontline duo of Justin Arana and rookie Justine Baltazar each posted a double-double in securing the second-biggest win in Converge’s young franchise history.

Converge FiberXers’ Schonny Winston during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES

Arana tallied 19 points and 11 rebounds with three blocks while Baltazar had 16 points and 10 rebounds.

The FiberXers also knocked down 11 triples, a key part when a tight second quarter became a 59-48 halftime lead on threes from Brian Santos and JL delos Santos.

Their defense also left Blackwater’s main guys Sedrick Barefield and Christian David as non-factors.

Barefield scored just five points on 1-of-10 shooting even as David went scoreless after dropping 31 in a loss to Magnolia.

RK Ilagan finished with 19 points for Blackwater in the contest that came two nights after coach Jeffrey Cariaso was formally honored as a member of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players.

It was Converge’s last game before the Holy Week break, but will have an extended respite before returning to action on April 27 against Grand Slam-seeking TNT at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Blackwater’s next game is on April 25 against NorthPort at Smart Araneta Coliseum.