PBA: Converge blasts import-less Phoenix in Donovan Smith’s return

Donovan Smith made a triumphant return to steer Converge to a 130-103 blowout win against Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Smith erupted for 32 points against his old team while also grabbing 13 rebounds and three blocks as the FiberXers dropped their highest offensive output so far in the conference and 6th largest win margin in franchise history. 

Smith provided the early spark and fueled the finisher to star in the 27-point beatdown that saw the Fuel Masters miss the services of James Dickey III.

Smith got plenty of help from the local crew with Alec Stockton pouring in 16 points and the frontcourt tandem of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar shining on both ends. Baltazar posted 15 points and 14 rebounds while Arana had 13 markers and nine boards. 

Converge was satisfied with Smith’s performance, even though he came in as a late import replacement for Kylor Kelley.

"Hindi naging mahirap ‘yung decision [na magpalit ng import], naging mabilis lang based on the last game," Converge head coach Delta Pineda said. 

"So talagang kailangan magpalit lalo na we are in a do-or-die situation. Kailangan namin ng tulong ng import talaga."

(It wasn't a hard decision, it was just sped up based on the last game... So we really needed a change especially because we are in a do-or-die situation. We really needed the help of an import.)

Smith didn't disappoint in his debut for Converge, erupting early to set the tone for the FiberXers as they surged to a 61-46 lead at the break. 

Smith, who reinforced the Fuel Masters in Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, then knocked down back-to-back baskets to open the fourth before burying a booming triple over the defense of Dave Ando to push Converge to a 101-74 advantage. 

Juan Gomez de Liaño then took it from there, sinking a four-point shot before completing a three-point play that made it a 123-89 lead with still 4:12 to play. 

The win gave Converge's playoff bid a huge boost as it improved to 4-6 while Phoenix halted its two-game winning streak to fall to 5-4. 

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News