Justine Baltazar crashes the boards as Converge escapes Phoenix for first win

Justine Baltazar proved to be a beast in the paint as the rookie big man carried Converge to a 92-83 win over Phoenix in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The top overall pick collared a game-high 16 rebounds to go with nine points, six assists, two blocks, and one steal as the FiberXers bounced back from a tough loss to Meralco in the opener and improve to 1-1.

Converge's win, though, sent the Fuel Masters to a 0-2 start after they lost to Terrafirma last game.

"Medyo maganda din 'yung nilaro nila. They drew different defense against us and 'yung grit nila mataas din so unlike last game, ngayon medyo slow start kami. Talagang nangapa kami sa umpisa sa depensa nila," Converge head coach Franco Atienza said. 

"Mabuti na lang nag-balance out kami towards the end of the game. I just felt that the players were caught off guard, parang medyo jittery but at the end of the day it's a competition, gusto mo 'yung nacha-challenge ka."

Converge, which was on the losing end of a Chris Newsome game-winning shot last Friday, made sure to win it convincingly this time around. 

The FiberXers flipped the switch in the final two periods after shrugging off a slow start with Alec Stockton completing a three-point play and Bryan Santos burying a triple that sent them to a 64-54 lead. 

Converge, which is still missing the services of main guard Jordan Heading due to back spasm, built a lead as high as 23 when King Caralipio saw an opening to knock down a long three-pointer for an 84-61 cushion late in the third. 

But Phoenix fought back with Ricci Rivero, Simon Camacho and Kai Ballungay fueling a 12-4 rampage to cut the deficit to 15 with 3:54 left to play, 88-73. Unfortunately, Rivero was called for a flagrant foul penalty one and had to sit out for three minutes after a hard foul on Schonny Winston. 

Still, the Fuel Masters mustered the will to still come back with JJ Alejandro converting six quick points in just 15 seconds, 90-79, with 2:24 to go. Phoenix did get some stops after that, but the wards of head coach Jamike Jarin failed to convert it into offense as they fell anew. 

Stockton chipped in 18 points, six rebounds, and one assist while Winston and Santos churned out 14 and 12 markers apiece off the bench. Another big man in Justin Arana posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds alongside three assists and a steal.

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.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News