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| Justin Arana dominated the paint for Converge. Madayaw Sports Davao |
MANILA—Balti Baltazar won it for Converge as it kept its hopes of making the final of the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament alive with a 100-98 win against Phoenix on Friday night at the USEP Gym in Davao City.
Baltazar converted on a jump hook with 14.9 seconds left that broke a 98-all deadlock as he muscled his way past Kai Ballungay in the post-up play.
Tyler Tio tried to steal the spotlight in crunch time for the Fuel Masters, but he missed a potential game-winning three, and he too muffed a floater that could have forced overtime at the final buzzer.
Justin Arana led the FiberXers, now 1-1 in the PBA preseason event, with 24 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and one block.
In the nightcap, Blackwater placed one foot on the championship game by rallying past NLEX for a 95-90 win.
RK Ilagan and Abu Tratter connived in the final 2:41 of the game as they combined for the Bossing's last eight points that helped steal the game for them.
Ilagan finished with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal to lead Blackwater, which can clinch a spot in the Sunday final by beating Converge on Saturday night.
A win by the FiberXers, though, coupled with a Road Warriors win against the Fuel Masters could force a three-way tie at 2-1 with Converge's winning margin against Blackwater the major key to determine which two teams will make the battle for the gold.
