MANILA – Converge FiberXers avoided an endgame meltdown to beat Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 111-109, in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Comfortably ahead at 106-95 after two free throws by Aljun Melecio, the Hotshots got a three-pointer from Jerrick Ahanmisi, a four-point play and a dunk by Eric McCree to cut the deficit to 104-106.
Jamaal Franklin got two free throws and three-pointer to widen the FiberXers’ lead to 111-105 before McCree rallied the Hotshots back to within 109-111 with a free throw and a completed three-point play.
Magnolia still had a chance to steal the win after forcing Franklin to a turnover but the three-point heave of McCree over the defense of Converge’s Jeron Teng failed to hit the target.
Franklin finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks, while Maverick Ahanmisi added 22 markers, including four triples, as the FiberXers notched the solo first place with 3-0 record.
Alec Stockton chipped in career-high 18 points along with four rebounds, two blocks and a steal, as Melecio and Teng also ended with double-digits with 14 and 11, respectively, for Converge.
McCree made his PBA debut with double-double 38 points and 16 rebounds, Paul Lee added 21 markers, while Jiovani Jalalon and Calvin Abueva had 13 and 12, respectively, for the 0-1 Hotshots.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beermen nearly wasted a lead as high as 33 points before holding off the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 114-93, to kick off its season-ending conference campaign on a winning note. The Fuel Masters dropped to 0-3.
Leading 62-29 in the second quarter after a basket by June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen were stunned by a furious second half uprising by the Fuel Masters to cut the deficit to 87-97.
The Beermen, however, got a quick response on three-pointers by Marcio Lassiter and Simon Enciso, a three-point play and a two-point basket by Cameron Clark to restore a 21-point edge.
Clark top-scored for the Beermen with 23 points, Fajardo had double-double 19 points and 13 rebounds, while Jaymar Perez, Allyn Bulanadi, Enciso and Lassiter chipped in 18, 16, 14 and 11, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
CONVERGE 111– Franklin 26, Ahanmisi 22, Stockton 18, Melecio 14, Teng 11, Arana 8, Balanza 6, Tratter 4, Ambohot 2, Racal 0, Murrell 0.
MAGNOLIA 109 – Mccree 38, Lee 21, Jalalon 13, Abueva 12, Escoto 7, Ahanmisi 5, Wong 4, Dela Rosa 3, Sangalang 2, Barroca 2, Dionisio 2, Corpuz 0.
Quarterscores: 28-23, 50-47, 84-73, 111-109./PN
