PBA: Converge bounces back from huge collapse, edges Phoenix for 1st win

Alec Stockton delivered in Converge's first win in this conference. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA––Converge quickly recovered from a huge collapse against Meralco and finally notched its first win in the PBA Philippine Cup by pipping Phoenix, 92-83, on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Despite the win, the FiberXers still gave their fans a late scare down the stretch.

Converge was comfortably ahead, 90-73, with 3:49 left when JJay Alejandro scored six straight points to cut the lead down to 11, 90-79, with 2:25 remaining.

Worse, the team missed six straight free throws, including four from Justin Arana, as they could not close out Phoenix.

Luckily for the FiberXers, the Fuel Masters ran out of steam in the end to finally secure the win.

Alec Stockton led Converge, which tied Terrafirma for fourth place at 1-1, with 18 points, six rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.

Schonny Winston added 14 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Arana got 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Kai Ballungay led Phoenix, which dropped to 0-2, with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 92 – Stockton 18, Winston 14, Santos 12, Arana 10, Baltazar 9, Nermal 7, Garcia 6, Caralipio 5, Racal 5, Delos Santos 2, Corpuz 2, Ambohot 2, Suerte 0, R. Santos 0

PHOENIX 83 – Ballungay 15, Tio 13, Salado 8, Alejandro 8, Tuffin 7, Rivero 6, Camacho 6, Garcia 6, Ular 4, Soyud 5, Verano 3, Jazul 1, Manganto 1, Daves 0

QUARTERS: 19-24, 44-38, 67-57, 92-83

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