Converge's hot start enough to withstand TNT's last push

After a block party last week, Quincy Miller hit another nine against TNT, this time in three-pointers made. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Converge waxed hot early into its PBA Philippine Cup game on Friday but still needed to survive one huge push from TNT in the end for a 130-117 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The FiberXers heaved a sigh of relief in the end after the Tropang Giga, who trailed by as much as 35 points, came to within single digits with still a lot of time left but scored huge daggers in the end.

Converge caught fire, especially from three-point range, en route to 113 points after the first three quarters, which already eclipsed its previous franchise best of 112 in the Philippine Cup.

The team had 43 after the first quarter and 73 by halftime, also setting team records.

However, TNT came alive in the fourth quarter and cut the lead down to nine, 126-117, with 1:12 left.

The FiberXers held on after Jeron Teng hit a tough fallaway to beat the shot-clock buzzer and Justin Arana converted a layup off Quincy Miller's steal on Mikey Williams.

Miller finished with 38 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and one steal for Converge, which has now won three straight games and moved to third place in the standings at 4-2.

A week after going for nine blocks, he converted nine triples this time even as he finished 13-of-21 from the field.

Teng added 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting including 4-of-5 from long range, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Aljun Melecio had his second straight career game with 20 points alongside one rebound, three assists, and one steal.

Cam Oliver made 41 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks, while Williams added 27 points, three rebounds, six assists, and one steal for TNT, which dropped to 3-3.

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