PBA: Converge crushes Titan Ultra by 31 to open its Govs Cup campaign

The Converge FiberXers never looked back after a dominant first half to complete a resounding 105-74 win against Titan Ultra in its debut game in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Sunday.

The FiberXers unleashed 50 points over the first two quarters while limiting the Giant Risers to just 26, a deficit Titan was unable to overcome to remain winless with a 0-2 card. Converge started its campaign with a 1-0 record.

Jalen Hudson, who once saw action for TNT in 2023, starred in his Converge debut with 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four steals while Archie Concepcion and Justin Arana led the local support with 16 and 14 markers each.

Mikey Williams also supplied 13 points to cover for a two-point outing from Juan Gomez de Liaño, who was coming off a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers earlier this month.

"I think it's good because 'yung chemistry ng mga bata, compared to last conference, medyo um-okay naman. Hindi ko masabing 100 percent pero compared to last conference, okay naman," Converge head coach Delta Pineda said.

"Especially with 28 assists, so it means nagkakaro'n na ng tiwala isa't-isa 'yung mga bata."

(I think it's good because the chemistry of the players, compared to last conference, it improved. I can't say 100-percent but compared to last conference, it's okay. Especially with 28 assists, so it means they're building trust in each other.)

Converge showed no rust right from the get-go with Concepcion and Williams setting the tone for a 19-point first-quarter where the FiberXers also held Titan Ultra to just nine markers.

It was all Converge since then with Arana erupting for 10 of his total in the second period as Converge seized full control of the game with a 50-26 halftime edge.

Titan Ultra suffered another blow when Pao Javillonar was assessed a disqualifying foul for hitting Hudson at the 8:14 mark of the third quarter. He left the game with seven points, three rebounds, and two assists.

With Titan Ultra down a big man, Hudson took full advantage, pouring in 11 points in the period as Converge pulled away and cruised to a 31-point rout.

Titan Ultra, which opened its campaign with a 113-100 loss to Terrafirma last Friday, leaned on the duo of Fran Yu and Bryan Sajonia as both players finished with 14 points.

The scores:

Converge 105 - Hudson 20, Concepcion 16, Arana 14, Williams 13, Celemente 9, Garcia 8, Abueva 6, Baltazar 6, Tungcab 6, Lepalam 5, Gomez de Liaño 2, Eguilos 0, Muyang 0, Policarpio 0.

Titan Ultra 74 - Yu 14, Sajonia 14, Caralipio 10, Ular 9, Javillonar 7, Munzon 6, Sumang 6, Cuntapay 4, Ambohot 2, Omega 2, Dionisio 0, Iñigo 0, Amores 0.

Quarters: 19-9, 50-26, 78-49, 105-74.

—JMB, GMA News