Converge big man Justine Baltazar in action. PBA Images
ANTIPOLO, Rizal — Converge broke away from the second-place logjam and joined NLEX and Rain or Shine on top by soaring past Magnolia, 114-97, as PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup action resumed on Friday at the Ynares Center here.
With the win, the FiberXers barged into the quarterfinals, gaining a 6-2 win-loss card, and have boosted their chances for a twice-to-beat advantage.
They were coming from a two-game winning run before the two-week league break commenced.
Despite the win, coach Delta Pineda remained focused on the higher reward—securing a Top 4 finish.
"Pangarap pa rin naming pumasok sa Top 4," said Pineda during the postgame press conference.
Converge slowly pulled away in the fourth frame, as Justine Baltazar sparked a 10-2 run from the 82-80 count, installing a 10-point 92-82 lead with less than six minutes remaining.
The Converge cushion even ballooned to 19 late, 114-95, as the FiberXers stamped their class and denied any Hotshots comeback.
Rising star Juan Gomez de Liano finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while Player of the Game Baltazar had a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Alec Stockton wrapped up with 23 markers.
Zav Lucero was spectacular for Magnolia as he had 31 points, but was down the drain as the LA Tenorio-coached side absorbed the loss, going down to 5-3.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 114 – Gomez de Liano 27, Stockton 23, Baltazar 19, Concepcion 11, Winston 10, Arana 9, Garcia 7, Muyang 6, Caralipio 2, Racal 0, R. Santos 0, Delos Santos 0, Javillonar 0
MAGNOLIA 97 – Lucero 31, Lastimosa 13, Barroca 10, Gomez de Liano 10, Laput 8, Eriobu 7, Lee 7, Dela Rosa 5, Koon 4, Sangalang 2
QUARTERS: 19-27, 42-50, 78-77, 114-97