PBA: Converge whips Blackwater to solidify Top 2 bid

Jordan Heading led three Converge players with 20 points or more. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Converge fortified its hope of landing a Top 2 spot ahead of the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals after romping Blackwater, 127-109, on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Despite playing the entire fourth quarter without Justin Arana, the trio of Jordan Heading, Cheick Diallo, and Balti Baltazar led the way for the FiberXers' final blow to the Bossing.

Heading led Converge, now up to 8-3, with 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting, three rebounds, five assists, and one block.

Diallo and Baltazar had 20-point double-doubles with the former grabbing 18 rebounds and the latter hauling 10.

Both big men were combined for 17-for-25 from the field, and they took over the paint after Arana hurt his left knee late in the third quarter of play.

Arana's absence could be crucial as the FiberXers have the San Miguel Beermen left in their elimination round schedule on Friday night.

George King put up 34 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists, while Jaydee Tungcab added 20 points, three rebounds, three assists, and five steals for Blackwater, which was pushed to the brink of elimination at 2-8.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 127 – Heading 22, Baltazar 20, Diallo 20, Stockton 19, Delos Santos 10, Winston 10, Santos 8, Nieto 8, Arana 7, Racal 3, Caralipio 0, Andrade 0

BLACKWATER 109 – King 34, Tungcab 20, Chua 16, David 14, Kwekuteye 10, Casio 6, Corteza 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Ayonayon 0, Jopia 0

QUARTERS: 33-26, 70-56, 97-88, 127-109

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