.jpg) |
| Cheick Diallo was a monster down low for Converge, even leading to Deon Thompson getting fouled out early in the third quarter. PBA Images |
BINAN--Converge took advantage of Deon Thompson's foul trouble and rammed Rain Or Shine, 130-118, at the start of the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Thompson, who was whistled for his fourth foul just barely one minute into the third quarter, fouled Cheick Diallo twice in succession while trying to block his shots, sending the burly Elasto Painter import off with 8:34 left in the third.
Although the now all-Filipino ROS squad still put up a gallant fight in the rest of the third quarter and early in the fourth, Converge launched a 22-6 run midway through the final period for them to pull away for good with Diallo, Balti Baltazar, and the returning Justin Arana dominating the paint following Thompson's absence.
Diallo led the FiberXers, who can sweep the best-of-three series against the Elasto Painters on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, with 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting, 17 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
In his comeback game after hyperextending his knee, Arana scored 22 points on 10-of-11 field goals and grabbed eight rebounds.
Jordan Heading added 21 points on 5-of-10 shooting from three-point range, three rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Baltazar and Alec Stockton each had 13 markers with Stockton also dishing out 10 assists alongside one rebound, one steal, and one block.
Baltazar, on the other hand, went 6-for-6 from the field including a poster dunk against Beau Belga during the pivotal 22-6 Converge run.
Caelan Tiongson led ROS, which needs to win on Friday night to force a Game 3 on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with 23 points on 8-of-12 field goals including 5-of-7 on threes, three rebounds, and two assists.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
.jpg)
.jpg&description=Converge pounces on early Deon Thompson exit, rips ROS in PBA Comm's Cup QF opener){kind=link}