Converge survives San Miguel to keep playoff bonus bid alive

Converge survived San Miguel, 100-97, on Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila to keep its hopes for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals alive.

The FiberXers finished the elimination round with a 7-4 record while the Beermen's four-game winning streak came to an end as they slipped to 7-3 ahead of their match against NorthPort.

Converge led by as much as 18, 55-37, early in the second half but the Beermen unloaded 31 points in the third period, while the former was limited to 17 points to inch closer, 70-68, by the end of the third frame.

It was a neck-and-neck affair then as the two teams were tied 89-89 with 4:08 remaining. CJ Perez then made a huge 4-pointer to take the lead before Schonny Winston answered with his own triple. He followed it up with a basket, while JL Delos Santos drilled another triple, then King Caralipio made another basket for the FiberXers to claim a 99-93 lead.

Don Trollano then hit a 4-pointer to trim down the lead, 99-97, but time ran out for the Beermen. A Marcio Lassiter foul on Delos Santos then put the latter on the line where he had a split to seal the win as CJ Perez missed his final three-point attempt.

Winston had 25 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, while Justin Arana had 21 points in the Converge victory.

June Mar Fajardo stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 23 rebounds, seven assists, a steal, and a block, while CJ Perez had 17 points as well in the San Miguel loss.

Scores:

Converge 100 – Winston 25, Arana 21, Delos Santos 13, Stockton 7, Baltazar 7, R. Santos 6, B.Santos 6, Garcia 5, Racal 3, Caralipio 2, Corpuz 0.

San Miguel 97 – Fajardo 17, Perez 17, Tautuaa 14, Tiongson 13, Rosales 11, Cruz 8, Teng 4, Trollano 4, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Brondial 3, Ross 0.

Quarters: 19-12, 53-37, 70-68, 100-97.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News