PBA: Converge secures back-to-back wins, downs Phoenix

Converge FiberXers’ Alec Stockton during a game against Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Converge notched its first win streak in the PBA Philippine Cup after taking down Phoenix, 128-114, on Saturday at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Fresh off a 125-108 victory over Terrafirma on Wednesday, the FiberXers followed it up with another strong showing to rise to a 3-1 record.

READ: PBA: Converge acquires Dave Ildefonso in revised trade

“Our team did a good job because this is what we’ve been wanting. We’ve been wanting to win back-to-back, we even got nervous because we thought we’ll slip but it’s a good thing they stayed focused,” coach Delta Pineda said in Filipino.

“At least, the boys didn’t get nervous. They stayed composed and focused on our game plans.”

After taking a 64-50 halftime lead, Converge saw Phoenix rally with an 11-1 run to trim the deficit to four, 65-61, with 9:38 in the third quarter.

READ: PBA: Juan Gomez de Liano leads Converge with another triple-double

The FiberXers responded with a run of their own, turning in a 12-4 rally to take a 77-65 lead courtesy of an Archie Concepcion three-point bomb with 6:16 left in the third. Phoenix never got closer after that.

Alec Stockton finished with 22 points built on five triples while his back court partner Juan Gomez de Liaño showed prowess beyond his age with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Aside from the Converge rookie, Justine Baltazar also registered a double-double, himself, with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Jason Perkins and Ricci Rivero had themselves a pair of stellar games with 27 and 23 points, but they weren’t enough to tow the Fuel Masters to the win as they dropped to a 1-3 card.