Converge averts late collapse vs. Magnolia to go 3-0 in PBA Govs' Cup

Jamaal Franklin's five-point swing within the last 2:03 of the game was enough to save Converge. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Converge heaved a sigh of relief in the end as Magnolia fell short of a comeback and let them escape with a 111-109 win in their PBA Governors' Cup clash on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Clutch moments from Jamaal Franklin turned out to be the cushion the FiberXers needed as the Hotshots got a shot at stealing the win in the end.

With his team just up, 106-104, Franklin trapped Rome Dela Rosa into fouling him while taking a three-pointer, and the import went 2-for-3 from the free throw line to up the lead to four with 2:03 left.

Paul Lee missed out on bringing the gap back to two as he only made a split from his own trip to the charity stripe, and Franklin seemingly iced the game for Converge with a high-arching triple with 1:04 remaining for a 111-105 cushion.

Eric McCree, however, made four straight points to cut the lead down to two with 30.9 seconds left even as the Magnolia defense forced Franklin to a crucial turnover, giving the team 10.4 seconds to at least force overtime.

McCree, however, decided to go for the win only that his three-point attempt only hit the rim as time expired.

Franklin finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and three blocks, while Maverick Ahanmisi added 22 points, five rebounds, and one assist for the FiberXers, who are now solely on top of the team standings at 3-0.

McCree had 38 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block, while Lee added 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists for Magnolia.

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