Heroes aplenty for Converge in mastery of Blackwater to near playoff bonus

A well-balanced offense propelled Converge to a 127-109 drubbing of Blackwater as the FiberXers cruised to solo second in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Standing tall for the FiberXers was 6-foot-9 big man Justine Baltazar, who posted a new career-high 20 points alongside 10 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks as they inched closer to a playoff incentive with an 8-3 card. 

Jordan Heading was also big for Converge with 22 points, three rebounds, five assists, and one block while import Cheik Diallo and Alec Stockton chipped in 20 and 19 markers apiece in the collective victory. 

The Bossing, meanwhile, dropped to 2-8 and are now on verge of elimination. 

"In terms of point production, we know we have good guys but going into this game our emphasis was our defense especially on George King.

"We know he would take that so naka-concentrate kami doon and medyo career game din ni Jaydee Tungcab. Gladly, nag-respond naman 'yung guys namin but the 109 we gave up mataas pa rin 'yon."

Converge proved to be hot in the first half, pouring in nine triples in the first two quarters to establish a comfortable 70-56 lead thanks to steady shooting from Stockton and Baltazar. 

The FiberXers even extended that to a 78-58 lead in the third period after a Stockton basket. 

The Bossing, with their backs against the wall, staged a fightback and unleashed a 21-11 rampage that saw the wards of head coach Jeff Cariaso trim the deficit to just 10, 89-79. 

Four straight free throws from George King and Christian David then made it just a single digit disadvantage for the Bossing, 91-83. 

Converge, though, closed out the third frame with a 6-0 run capped by a Justin Arana basket, which would turn out to be his last of the game after the former Rookie of the Year limped out of the court after hurting his knee. He finished with seven points, five rebounds, and one assist off the bench. 

Fortunately for Converge, they have plenty of weapons with Heading taking over in the final period, dropping 12 points to fuel a 19-9 blitz that sent Converge to a sizable 116-97 cushion. 

Blackwater could not find any answer to Converge's hot shooting as Schonny Winston and Mike Nieto put the finishing kick for the franchise. 

Except for King Caralipio, Inand Fornilos, and BJ Andrade, everyone from the Converge bench scored at least three points. 

King, on the other hand, was still unstoppable in the loss after erupting for 34 points highlighted by four four-point shots while also grabbing 13 rebounds and six assists. 

Scores:

Converge 127 – Heading 22, Baltazar 20, Diallo 20, Stockton 19, Delos Santos 10, Winston 10, Santos 8, Nieto 8, Arana 7, Racal 3, Caralipio 0, Andrade 0.

Blackwater 109 – King 34, Tungcab 20, Chua 16, David 14, Kwekuteye 10, Casio 6, Corteza 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Ayonayon 0, Jopia 0.

Quarters: 33-26, 70-56, 97-88, 127-109.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News