PBA: Weary Converge beats Blackwater for fourth straight win

Converge’s Alec Stockton during a game against Blackwater in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines-Converge overcame a rare case of shooting struggles to get past Blackwater, 77-71, for its fourth straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Alec Stockton scored six of his 15 points in the fourth quarter to help the FiberXers pull away from the Bossing and continue their climb into the team standings under rookie coach Aldin Ayo with a 5-2 record.

Ayo admitted Converge came into the contest lacking time to recover from two nights earlier when his team shot the lights out behind its uptempo offense that led to a 130-117 upset of TNT.

“I think our legs were heavy,” Ayo said. “I was expecting that we would be able to recover [after playing TNT], but I think they haven’t recovered yet.”

After sizzling for 21 threes, Converge could only make four out of 35 attempts and its total output was four more than its first half output in the previous outing.

The FiberXers also won despite import Quincy Miller dealing with four personal fouls as early as the second quarter and committing his fifth, over two minutes to go in the third.

Miller did score Converge’s last five on his way to a team-high 22 points with 19 rebounds and four blocks.

His counterpart Cameron Krutwig had 16 points and 15 rebounds, but sat on the bench in the fourth due to cramps as Blackwater ran out of steam and went 3-5 with its first back-to-back defeat of the conference.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 77 — Miller 22, Stockton 15, Tratter 12, Arana 8, Teng 8, Melecio 3, Ilagan 6, DiGregorio 2, Ahanmisi 1, Murrell 0, Tolomia 0, Racal 0.

BLACKWATER 71 — Krutwig 16, Suerte 15, Ular 13, Taha 10, Melton 6, Banal 3, Ebona 3, Ayonayon 3, Go 2, Jackson 0, Sena 0, Publico 0.

Quarters: 18-19, 34-32, 59-59, 77-71.

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