Converge plays spoiler, stuns Meralco for 1st win in PBA PH Cup

Alec Stockton's impressive showing lately finally bore fruit. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Converge complicated the playoff race in the PBA Philippine Cup by dealing Meralco a shock 104-99 defeat on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Already out of contention for a quarterfinal spot, the FiberXers played spoilers as they denied the Bolts from entering the Top 8 as the playoff race heats up.

Down 97-96 entering the four-minute mark, Converge turned the tides in the last three and a half minutes, highlighted by a go-ahead three from Bryan Santos with 2:58 left.

Chris Newsome hit a jumper with 2:26 to go to keep Meralco in the game, but they were held scoreless the rest of the way as free throws from Schonny Winston and a dagger jumper from JL Delos Santos sealed the deal for Converge.

Santos finished with 22 points and five rebounds for the FiberXers, who moved up to 1-8, while Alec Stockton added 20 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.

Newsome had 25 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while Chris Banchero added 20 points, two rebounds, three assists, and one steal for the Bolts, who fell to a three-way tie with the Blackwater Bossing and Phoenix Fuel Masters for ninth place a 3-5, a half-game behind the Terrafirma Dyip for the eighth and last seat in the quarterfinals.

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