Jerrick Balanza's game-winner spoils Jericho Cruz's blast as Converge edges SMB in OT thriller

Jerrick Balanza won it for the FiberXers. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Jerrick Balanza scored the marginal basket to give Converge a 113-111 overtime win against San Miguel in their PBA on Tour battle on Sunday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

Balanza drove to the lane and hit a layup with a 1.9 seconds left as the FiberXers completed a late mini-comeback made possible by Alec Stockton.

With his team down, 108-111, Stockton hit a clutch triple that knotted the count at 111-all with 17 seconds left.

He then stripped the ball from a driving Mo Tautuaa and found Balanza open for the lay-in for the lead.

Allyn Bulanadi tried to win it for the Beermen, but he once again missed a buzzer-beating three-point attempt.

Stockton finished with 23 points, two rebounds, nine assists, and two steals for Converge, while Kevin Racal added 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Jericho Cruz's 41-point blast was flushed as SMB blew a 16-point lead and lost in the end.

Tautuaa added 15 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals but also committed five turnovers, while Rodney Brondial chipped in 13 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists but missed an open three that could have won it for the Beermen in regulation.

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