PBA: Juami Tiongson erupts late as surging San Miguel fends off Converge

Silent for most of the night, Juami Tiongson broke out when it mattered most to lead San Miguel to a 96-90 triumph over Converge in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center Antipolo. 

The guard scored all of his 14 points in the payoff period as the Beermen turned a 12-point deficit in the second period to a lead as big as 11 in the fourth en route to the narrow victory.

Reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo was a dominant force once again, finishing with a double-double of 24 points and 16 rebounds to go with four assists and two blocks while Perez tallied 13 markers, seven boards, five dimes, and three steals. 

With the win, San Miguel extended its streak to three games, improving to 3-2 after a tough 0-2 start, while the FiberXers slipped to the same 3-2 record.

San Miguel had a sluggish start with Converge building a 41-29 lead, thanks to a Pao Javillonar basket in the second frame. The reigning champions then went on a scoring spree, closing the first half on an 18-8 run to trail by just two, 47-49. 

San Miguel could not pull away for good with rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño trimming the gap to a solitary point following a pair of free throws midway in the fourth, 75-76. 

But Tiongson caught fire, sinking back-to-back triples before stepping back for a tough jumper against Gomez de Liaño to bring San Miguel to an 86-78 cushion. Another Tiongson jumper and a Fajardo putback saw the Beermen take a comfortable 91-80 lead. 

The FiberXers, who entered the game riding a two-game winning streak, mounted a late rally behind the frontcourt tandem of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.

Arana and Baltazar combined for eight of Converge's 10-4 run, highlighted by a rare three-pointer from the latter, as the FiberXers pulled to within five with 58 ticks left, 90-95.

Converge had the chance to further slice the gap following a costly turnover from Perez, but Alex Stockton and Schonny Winston's attempts from beyond the arc did not go through. 

Fittingly, it was Perez’s split from the line that sealed the win for San Miguel, which came into the contest on the heels of big victories over Rain or Shine and Ginebra.

Winston paced Converge with 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists while Arana and Baltazar poured 19 and 14 markers apiece while also grabbing 10 and 19 boards each. 

Scores:

San Miguel 96 – Fajardo 24, Tiongson 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 9, Teng 7, Rosales 7, Cruz 6, Rosales 6, Brondial 6, Calma 5, Lassiter 4, Miller 2, Ross 0.

Converge 90 - Winston 20, Arana 19, Baltazar 14, Concepcion 9, Gomez de Liano 8, Muyang 6, Stockton 6, Muyang 6, Garcia 4, Javillonar 4, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0, Clemente 0, Eguilos 0, Racal 0.

Quarters: 20-28, 47-49, 69-66, 96-90.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News