CONVERGE proved it has what it takes to thrive in a do-or-die match yesterday and kept alive its quarterfinals bid.
Rookie big man Justine Arana came up with two big baskets in the stretch as the FiberXers carved out a nail-biting 92-90 decision over Blackwater to end their eliminations campaign on a high in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arana’s final basket, a short stab off an Allyn Bulanadi feed, gave Converge a crucial two-point lead with just 8.4 ticks left before Barkley Ebona missed on a layup at the buzzer.
The FiberXers scored their fifth win against six loses and they will wait for the outcome of the remaining games of the Bossing, NLEX, and Rain or Shine to determine their fate in the season-opening tourney.
Maverick Ahanmisi showed the way for Converge with 18 points on four three-pointers, grabbed seven rebounds, and issued four assists, while Arana wound up with 13 markers and five boards.
Abu Tratter also had 10 points and 10 caroms as the FiberXers redeemed themselves from an embarrassing 66-89 loss to Phoenix five days ago.
Blackwater absorbed its fourth defeat in a row, counting a 68-98 drubbing at the hands of NLEX last Friday, for a 5-5 mark.
Converge coach Jeff Cariaso said his charges’ desire was fueled by their drive to avoid elimination in their maiden conference and atone for their lopsided defeat to the Fuel Masters.
“I think initially it’s really the goal and what we’re playing for, so we made it clear what we’re playing for and that was to give us a higher chance to make the playoffs in our first conference,” Cariaso said.
“So, I think that motivated us even more. We got our busts kicked the last game so we wanna make sure to come out better because we know deep inside that we’re better than what we showed in the last game and we wanted to come out here and again, just play better. I think the guys did that,” he added.
The FiberXers trailed 46-47 at the half and 51-60 on an Eboña bucket at the 5:40 mark of the third canto but Converge charged back and trimmed the deficit to 63-70 heading into the final stanza.
