PBA: Converge routs Macau behind Justin Arana’s career-high
Converge FiberXers’ Justin Arana during a game vs Macau Giant Pandas in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Converge turned to Justin Arana to dominate Macau, 149-120, in Group A of the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday.
Arana posted a career-high 39 points along with 12 rebounds, helping lift the FiberXers to a 3-0 start in Group A.
READ: PBA: Justin Arana keeps Converge on track after lessons from past
“We just didn’t want to feel the losses we felt in the last conference, so we all worked together every game, including this one,” Arana said in Filipino.
“We’ll keep working on practicing how we can all work together because I’m not the only player here. For sure, all of us will be scouted by other teams, so we’ll be ready every game.”
Converge FiberXers’ Mikey Williams during a game vs Macau Giant Pandas in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Converge used a strong second half to hand the Giant Pandas their third straight loss.
After holding just a one-point lead, 92-91, late in the third quarter, Converge unleashed a 17-5 run to close the period and take a 109-96 cushion into the fourth.
READ: Justin Arana ‘staying ready’ for possible Gilas opportunity
The FiberXers then picked up where they left off and opened the payoff period with a 12-4 blitz capped by a Larry Muyang basket for an insurmountable 121-100 lead with 8:41 remaining.
Arana had plenty of help as seven other FiberXers also scored in double figures.
Mikey Williams and Alec Stockton added 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Justine Baltazar and Calvin Abueva chipped in 13 each. Juan Gomez de Liaño also flirted with a triple-double of 10 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds.
Ramon Cao exploded for 41 points in the Macau loss. Import De’Vondre Perry finished with 35 points and 15 rebounds, while Kobey Lam added 26.
