FiberXers win third straight game vs heavyweight Hotshots for solo lead

Taking the title contender after manhandling two denizens, Converge made a good account with a pulsating 111-109 escape from Magnolia on Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The FiberXers remained perfect in the eliminations of the Governor’s Cup, using their strong determination in the final game to deny the Hotshots—the last team to manage their third conference outside of Barangay Ginebra in the last five years—a thrilling conference debut.

“This is big for us because the Hotshots are one of the teams that beat us in the last conference,” Converge coach Aldin Ayo told the Inquirer shortly after escaping from the high wire before the crowd at the hilltop arena.

“We also went up. We had led 14 before, and I thought, it’s like déjà vu. It’s good that the players responded – especially in defense. We were able to make some stops,” he said.

The two clubs also squared off in the last game last October, when Magnolia overcame a two-run deficit to win, 109-105.

San Miguel Beer kicked off the Jorge Galent era by defeating Phoenix 114-93 last night.

The Beermen doubled up on the Fuel Masters in the first quarter, took a 42-21 lead into the second and were never threatened from there.

Converge dodged a repeat with import Jamaal Franklin leading the way with 26 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, not really necessary to match the previous scoring output of 42 points with the local FiberXers also up to the plate.

Maverick Ahanmisi continued his conference play with 22 points, while Alec Stockton poured in 18 as Converge won for the third straight game, bettering its 1-2 start in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Aljun Melecio and Jeron Teng also finished with at least 11 points each for the FiberXers for 0-2 Rain or Shine.

Be careful

Let’s, however, feel that he will overcome the resistance like the crew who always prove that they are very tough.

“The Painters are a strong group. And coach Yeng [Guiao] This is quite a task,” said Ayo. “We won in the end, because of Justin [Arana’s] taken. It should be a tough game for us.”

Magnolia got things from Erik McCree, who produced 38 points and 16 rebounds and helped the Hotshots to two double points.

But Converge would not be denied, with Franklin scoring the FiberXers’ final five points, and the locals forcing the international traveling Hotshots into an ill-advised triple at the death.

Paul Lee had 21 points and four assists, while Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva finished with at least 12 in the losing effort.

Magnolia now switches to a TNT crew that is off to a good start under Jojo Lastimosa, the team manager deputizing for Chot Reyes. INQ

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