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ANTIPOLO CITY. — Converge playmaker Alec Stockton fired a three-pointer that hit the back iron of the ring but FiberXers import Cheick Diallo easily hauled down the offensive rebound and soared for a one-handed slam dunk Sunday night.

Powered by this kind of play that led to a balanced offensive attack, Converge ripped Blackwater 127-109 to boost its bid for a top-two finish in the eliminations of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center here.

Diallo’s throw down that gave the FiberXers a 122-103 bulge with 3:24 left pretty much summarized the duel—there was no Bossing player around for the defensive board and there was little to no resistance from Blackwater.

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Converge interim coach Franco Atienza said they went into the tiff wary of Bossing prolific reinforcement George King.

“We mentioned about point production. We know that we will be able to score. We know that somehow, we have good guys but going into this game our emphasis is defense, especially on (Blackwater import) George King,” Atienza said. “Medyo mataas especially in the first quarter, in the first four, five minutes we gave up 17 points so medyo mataas. We gave up four four-pointers for King. 16 kaagad iyon. We know he will take that. We know he will hunt for that.

“So, naka-concentrate kami doon. In the first quarter and first half our emphasis was defense and I’m glad nag-respond naman iyong guys namin,” he added.

Fil-Australian guard Jordan Heading wound up with 22 points, on top of three rebounds, and five assists for the FiberXers while Diallo chipped in a double-double of 20 markers and 18 boards and four dimes.

This year’s No. 1 pick overall Justine Baltazar had 20 and 10 while Stockton, Schonny Winston, and JL Delos Santos also did their part with 19, 10, and 10 points, respectively as Converge did an encore to a 103-96 decision over Rain or Shine last Tuesday and rose to 8-3.

FiberXer Justin Arana left the match for good at the end of the third quarter due to a knee injury.

The Bossing failed to make it two in a row after a 96-86 victory over the winless Terrafirma Dyip last Wednesday and slipped to 2-8.

Converge built a 70-56 lead at the half the FiberXers pushed to as much as 78-58 on a Stockton basket at the 8:56 mark of the third. Converge still held a 97-88 cushion going into the payoff period.

King paced Blackwater with 34 points, 13 caroms, and six feeds while Jaydee Tungcab added 20 and three.

Justin Chua, Christian David, and and James Kwekuteye also got 16, 14, and 10 markers, respectively, for the Bossing.

What stands in the FiberXers’ way for a breakthrough elims finish is a marquee game against the defending champions San Miguel Beermen this Friday, Jan. 24, at the same venue.

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