PBA: Converge shines in Christmas debut with rout vs Meralco

Jordan Heading and Cheick Diallo combined for 54 points on Christmas night. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—Jordan Heading waxed hot on a cold Christmas night here as Converge won their fourth consecutive game in the PBA Commissioner's Cup by drubbing Meralco, 110-94, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Heading dropped 30 points on 9-for-14 shooting including 4-for-6 from three-point range as he led the FiberXers' early charge that saw them take a 22-6 lead against the Bolts at the start of the game.

Meralco would inch closer in some junctures of the game, but Converge sustained its brilliance to reopen the huge lead and never looked back from there.

Heading also tallied six rebounds, eight assists, and one steal as the FiberXers ended the year with a 6-2 record in the midseason tournament, tying the Eastern Long Lions for third place in the team standings.

Cheick Diallo added 24 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks as his team won its first Christmas game since joining the PBA by buying Alaska's franchise.

Akil Mitchell returned to action after sitting out the Bolts' last game against the Blackwater Bossing and put up 29 points, 18 rebounds, one assist, and one block, but he could not help save them from falling to their second straight loss after a 3-0 start.

Bong Quinto added 23 points, three rebounds, and four assists.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 110 – Heading 30, Diallo 24, Baltazar 16, Winston 11, Stockton 10, Arana 7, Andrada 5, Racal 3, Delos Santos 2, Santos 2, Fornillos 0, Nieto 0, Ambohot 0, Caralipio 0, Javillonar 0

MERALCO 94 – Mitchell 29, Quinto 23, Hodge 10, Newsome 9, Banchero 6, Maliksi 5, Reyson 3, Pascual 3, Black 2, Rios 2, Caram 2, Torres 0

QUARTERS: 26-20, 58-41, 85-66, 110-94

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