The Converge FiberXers showed their poise against the Phoenix Fuel Masters’ endgame run to score a 92-83 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Leading by as many as 23 points early in the fourth quarter, the FiberXers saw their lead cut to 79-90 on a three-point play and a three-pointer from Fuel Masters’ Rodolfo Alejandro Jr.
The FiberXers failed to widen the lead after missing six of the eight free throw attempts, but they managed to keep the Fuel Masters at bay behind the towering presence of centers Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.
Alec Stockton top-scored for the FiberXers with 18 points, including two three-pointers, while Deschon Winston added 14 markers as they bounced back from their opening-day loss to the Meralco Bolts for a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Bryan Santos contributed 12 points, with three outside conversions; Arana had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Baltazar ended with nine points, 16 rebounds, and six assists for the Player of the Game honors.
“Credit to (Phoenix), iba’t ibang depensa rin ‘yung ibinato nila sa amin,” said FiberXers interim head coach Franco Atienza after the game. “Medyo nangapa kami sa depensa nila, and then mabuti na lang at nagbalance out kami towards the end.”
“I feel the players were just caught off guard, parang medyo jittery, but at the end of the day it is a competition; mas gusto mong nacha-challenge ka for you to improve,” he added.
Kai Ballungay finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyler Tio added 12 markers as the Fuel Masters fell to a 0-2 win-loss slate.
The post Converge shows endgame poise, survives Phoenix’s late run first appeared on Fastbreak.
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