Converge import Cheick Diallo dunks against TerraFirma in the 2024 PBA Commissioner's Cup, November 27, 2024 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA ImagesMANILA -- Cheick Diallo was unstoppable and the Converge FiberXers overpowered TerraFirma, 116-87, for a winning start to their campaign in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday night.
The towering Diallo made 11 of his 13 field goals for 25 points while pulling down 16 rebounds to spark the FiberXers' comfortable win at the PhilSports Arena.
Converge set the tone by outscoring the Dyip 34-16 in the opening period, and showed their poise by weathering TerraFirma's third quarter storm.
The Dyip got within single digits, 66-58, off a triple by CJ Catapusan midway through the third period. But Converge responded with an 11-2 run, capped by Diallo three-point play, that restored a double-digit lead, 77-62.
Their advantage would reach 33 points, 116-83, late in the fourth quarter.
Justin Arana added 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Mike Nieto needed just 15 minutes to score 11 points for the FiberXers. As a team, they shot 51.8% from the field and had a massive 70-35 rebounding advantage.
Catapusan had 13 points to lead the Dyip, who played without their new players, Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel, in their first game of the conference.
Import Ryan Richards was limited to 10 points on a 5-of-16 clip.
The Scores :
CONVERGE 116 – Diallo 25, Arana 16, Santos 12, Nieto 11, Heading 8, Winston 7, Stockton 7, Ambohot 6, Fleming 6, Andrade 5, Racal 5, Fornilos 3, Javillonar 3, Santos 2, Cabagnot 0.
TERRAFIRMA 87 – Catapusan 13, Sangalang 11, Pringle 11, Nonoy 11, Richards 10, Carino 8, Hernandez 6, Ramos 5, Melecio 4, Paraiso 3, Ferrer 3, Zaldivar 2, Hanapi 2
QUARTERS : 34-16, 59-42, 86-67, 116-87