MANILA – Converge FiberXers showed 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 nag-balance 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.
Meanwhile, defending champions Meralco Bolts send Terrafirma Dyip crashing back to earth with an 118-80 rout as they improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate. The Dyip dropped to 1-1.
Crispin John “CJ” Cansino spearheaded the offense with 19 points, including three four-point shots, while fellow rookie Kurt Reyson also made his presence felt with 16 markers for the Bolts./PN
