PBA: Converge takes out frustrations on Blackwater with 31-point blowout

Converge vented its ire on Blackwater in a dominant 111-80 victory to return to its winning ways in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The FiberXers, who recently lost to streaking Magnolia, flaunted its well-balanced offense with Justin Arana leading the charge with a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds while Schonny Winston and Justine Baltazar each posted 16 markers.

Rey Suerte and Bryan Santos chipped in 11 and 10 markers apiece as they improved to 2-2 while the Bossing remained winless at 0-2.

But while their offense was clicking all game long, Converge head coach Franco Atienza said it was their defense that made the difference.

"We know we will get our shots but if we wanna be a contender, we have to tighten up on our defense. However cliché it may sound, you win games with offense pero if you wanna go deep, 'yung defense should be there e,"Atienza said.

"So I'm proud of the guys because we limited them (Blackwater) to 80 points. [In a] 48-minute game, 80 points, that's 20 points per quarter and that's within our goal."

Converge limited Sedrick Barefield to just five points on a rare 1-of-10 from the field while Christian David was held scoreless all throughout the match.

It was RK Ilagan who stepped up for the misfiring Blackwater as the veteran guard logged 19 points together with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal while Russel Escoto helped with 11 markers, four boards, and one dime off the bench.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News