MANILA – Converge FiberXers emerged victorious in a shootout with Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 132-127, in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Quincy Miller drilled eight triples to finish with 46 points to go with 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals as the FiberXers extended their winning run to six games for a 7-2 slate.
Jeron Teng added 25 markers while also connecting five outside shots. Regile Kent Ilagan and Maverick Ahanmisi had 22 and 13 points, respectively, for the FiberXers.
Converge’s final score of 132 points as well as the total 22 three-point shots were both new franchise highs for the team that took over the PBA franchise of Alaska Aces.
It was actually a close contest with both teams showing their shooting accuracy until the FiberXers unloaded an 8-0 blast behind Ahanmisi, Teng and Aljun Melecio for a 127-116 separation.
“We tried to simplify our plays because we were disrupted by their zone press,” said FiberXers head coach Aldin Ayo. “We got delayed (in setting up plays) by their zone press so we just called our short plays.”
Kaleb Wesson finished with double-double 25 points and 21 rebounds, while Javee Mocon, Sean Anthony and Encho Serrano had 17 markers each as the Fuel Masters slumped to 5-4 slate.
Meanwhile, NorthPort Batang Pier halted its three-game losing skid with a wire-to-wire 107-94 victory over NLEX Road Warriors. The Batang Pier improved to 4-5, while the Road Warriors dropped to 3-5.
The Batang Pier went to work early behind conversions by William Navarro for a 23-13 lead. Prince Ibeh took over the scoring in the second canto as the advantage widened to 49-36 at the half.
The Road Warriors threatened to within five points in the second half but the Batang Pier were quick to restore order behind Shej Roi Sumang and Robert Bolick Jr. as the lead reached to as high as 24 points.
Bolick finished with 33 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, Ibeh added 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Navarro contributed 17 markers and 13 boards for NorthPort.
BOX SCORE:
CONVERGE 132 – Miller 46, Teng 25, Ilagan 22, Ahanmisi 13, Melecio 9, Arana 6, Stockton 6, Murrell 5, Ambohot 0, Bulanadi 0, Tratter 0.
PHOENIX 127 – Wesson 25, Mocon 17, Anthony 17, Serrano 17, Perkins 14, Tio 12, Jazul 12, Garcia 3, Manganti 4, Camacho 2, Pascual 2, Robles 2, Rios 0.
Quarterscorea: 36-36, 73-74, 107-102, 132-127./PN
