Converge big man Justin Arana facing TNT import Bol Bol. PBA Images
MANILA — Converge fended off TNT's comeback, 97-92, for only its third win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
After leading by as much as 14 early in the payoff period, the FiberXers lost the huge cushion as the Tropang 5G eventually cut it down to three on Bol Bol's jumper, 93-90, 1:21 on the fourth quarter clock.
After Justin Arana made it a four-point game off a split from the 15-foot line, RR Pogoy could not put TNT closer, missing on a corner trey, 49.1 seconds left. As possession went Converge's way, Mikey Williams could not also convert on the same distance, but Arana was there for the putback, picking up the ball for the offensive rebound and second-chance points, 20.9 ticks, for a 96-90 edge.
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Justine Baltazar later on defended Rey Nambatac's triple attempt well, forcing him to shoot and miss. However, Calvin Abueva fouled his namesake on the other end, Calvin Oftana, that sent the TNT gunner to the stripe with 13.8 seconds on the timer.
Pogoy gave up a foul as Converge regained the ball, no less than against the former TNT star, Williams, who made it a two-possession game, 97-92, after going 1-of-2 on his free throws with only 10.2 seconds remaining.
That count turned out to be the final score as Jordan Heading threw a Hail Mary from the four-point line, but was way out, marking the FiberXers' survival to stay in the playoff picture.
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Arana finished with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Juan Gomez de Liano also had 16 markers, seven boards, and seven assists.
Williams and Alec Stockton chipped in 13 points each, while struggling import Kylor Kelley only had four points, but contributed in the rebounding aspect, garnering nine.
On the other hand, former NBA player Bol expectedly led the TNT side with 32 points and 16 rebounds as the Tropang 5G were dealt a defeat after winning three straight games.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 97 – Arana 21, Gomez de Liano 16, Stockton 13, Williams 13, Abueva 9, Muyang 8, Concepcion 6, Kelley 4, Baltazar 3, Garcia 2, Policarpio 2
TNT 92 – Bol 32, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Heading 13, Pogoy 12, Oftana 12, Nambatac 5, K.Williams 2, Ferrer 2, Castro 0, Nava 0, Khobuntin 0, Galinato 0, Aurin 0
QUARTERS: 15-19, 41-30, 69-61, 97-92