PBA: Converge bounces back, escapes Blackwater

Converge returned to the win column after defeating Blackwater, 99–94, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Blackwater led 92–90 with 4:09 remaining before Justin Arana tied the game at 92.

From there, Converge mounted a 7–2 run, highlighted by Alec Stockton’s four clutch free throws in the final stretch.

Stockton finished with 28 points, while the FiberXers’ twin towers, Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana, each recorded double-doubles, both scoring 11 points, with Baltazar grabbing 14 rebounds and Arana hauling down 11. Juan Gomez de Liaño also chipped in 14 points as Converge improved to 4-2.

The win spoiled Sedrick Barefield’s 33-point explosion. Christian David and RJ Panopio added 18 and 11 points, respectively, as Blackwater suffered its fifth straight loss to drop to 1–5.

Scores:

Converge – Stockton 28, Gomez de Liano 14, Baltazar 11, Arana 11, Winston 8, Muyang 8, Concepion 8, Garcia 5, Suerte 3, Racal 3, Delos Santos 0, Javillonar 0, Eguilos 0, Clemente 0.

Blackwater – Barefield 33, David 18, Paonopio 11, Tratter 10, Guinto 8, Mendoza 7, Mallilin 5, Murrell 2, Andrade 0, Jopia 0, Cruz-Dumont 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 21-25, 49-46, 78-72, 98-94.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News