PBA: Hot-shooting Converge torches NorthPort

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Maverick Ahanmisi. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines—Converge ended the previous conference and frustrated the NorthPort squad, 122-92, on Sunday in the PBA Governor’s Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

FiberXers hit 16 three-pointers on the way to start the season finale on the right note while dealing with new Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan’s debut loss.

“We started slowly in the first quarter. But after that, they all executed,” said coach Aldin Ayo, whose team took control after beating Pier Batang, 40-21, in the second quarter from a 26-25 lead.

Maverick Ahanmisi scored 29 points with six rebounds and nine assists to lead Converge to victory. He was one of seven players in double figures.

But Converge also got a strong performance from new acquisition Jerrick Balanza with 13 points and four assists against his former team.

Import Ethan Rusbatch had 17 points and nine rebounds, but FiberXers believe the PBA’s first New Zealand-born player will fit in despite his good production.

Rusbatch’s NorthPort partner Marcus Weathers finished with 37 points, but NorthPort missed ace scorer Robert Bolick.

Bolick is out with a hamstring problem, while veteran Arwind Santos remains out with a knee problem he’s been dealing with since the Commissioner’s Cup.

Arvin Tolentino was NorthPort’s local top scorer with 12 although Joshua Munzon, acquired from Terrafirma in a pre-conference trade for the third time, had nine points in the first game.

Score:

CONVERGE 122 — Ahanmisi 29, Rusbatch 17, Teng 16, Tratter 13, Skala 13, Murrell 12 Browne 11, Arana 6, Racal 3, Stockton 2, Ebona 0, Tolomia 0, Ambohot 0.

NORTHPORT 92 — Cuaca 37, Tolentino 12, Calma 10, Monzon 9, Sumang 5, Chan 5, Salado 4, Caperal 2, Taha 2, Vigil 2, Ayaay 2, Balagasay 2, Zamar 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarter: 26-25, 66-46, 88-69, 122-92.