PBA: Converge dominates Blackwater to close out campaign on a high note 

Converge saved its best for last to pull off a 136-122 win against fellow also-ran Blackwater and close out its campaign in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Juan Gomez de Liaño posted 25 points laced with five rebounds and three assists as he ended his second conference run with the FiberXers, while Justine Baltazar recorded a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds to help Converge conclude its campaign with a 5-7 card.

The Bossing, meanwhile, punctuated their run on a four-game losing skid for a 2-10 record.

"Sinabi ko sa kanila na treat this game like a do-or-die pa rin and kailangan pa rin naming mag-trabaho. Doesn't mean na wala na kaming chance ay magrerelax na, kailangan pa rin mag-trabaho," Converge head coach Delta Pineda said.

"Ipakita pa rin dapat nila 'yung obligasyon namin sa team."

It has been an up-and-down run for Converge, despite the pre-conference tag that named it one of the strong title contenders for the import-laced tournament.

After an opening day win against Macau, the FiberXers lost five in a row before winning three of their last five games, but that wasn't enough to secure a playoff spot.

Still, Converge left it all in its final game with hopes to carry that fight next conference.

Gomez de Liaño started hot after dropping 16 points in the first half, but Converge only built a 59-58 lead at the break. They then slowly pulled away in the second half with Larry Muyang sinking back-to-back baskets and import Donovan Smith completing a jumper to give them an 89-80 lead entering the fourth quarter.

Blackwater then kept it close when Sedrick Barefield hit a triple to pull the Bossing within four, 96-100.

The FiberXers then responded with a 12-4 run fueled by a three-pointer each from Archie Concepcion and Mikey Williams to create a 112-100 cushion.

Calvin Abeva, Gomez de Liaño, and Baltazar provided the finishing kick with the latter soaring for a dunk to seal it for Converge.

Abueva finished with 15 points while MJ Garcia, Justin Arana, and Concepcion all tallied 12 markers. Smith posted 12 markers as well and added eight rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in his third and final game with the club.

Although they fell short of entering the playoffs as many predicted, Pineda said they still treated the game with respect, but admitted their failure was their own doing.

"Bad for us. Maraming mga dumating na hindi namin ma-control na sitwasyon, maraming bago sa team, then injuries, then 'yung chemistry," Pineda said.

"Maybe we didn't perform talaga. Siguro it's all our fault talaga."

Scores:

Converge 136 – Gomez de Liaño 25, Baltazar 17, Abueva 15, Garcia 12, Concepcion 12, Smith 12, Arana 12, Williams 9, Stockton 8, Muyang 4, Clemente 4, Lepalam 4, Policarpio 2.

Blackwater 122 – Upshaw III 45, Barefield 20, Tratter 13, Andrade 8, Zamar 8, Austria 7, Murrell 5, DiGregorio 5, Altamirano 5, David 2, Una 2, Mallilin 2, Jopia 0, Guinto 0.

Quarters: 24-29, 59-58, 89-80, 136-122.

—JKC, GMA News