By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Converge FiberXers displayed its firepower from inside and outside as they scored a 123-95 domination over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the 2023 PBA on Tour at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City on Sunday night, July 16.
Justin Arana imposed his presence from the paint area with double-double 30 points and 15 rebounds, while Adrian Wong was efficient from the three-point area to end up with 26 markers as the FiberXers improved to 5-4.
Jeron Teng battled foul trouble to finish with 18 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Mike Nieto drilled four triples to finish with 17 points, while Kevin Racal ended with 13 markers for Converge, which converted 18 triples in the game.
From a slim 52-47 lead at the half, the FiberXers created separation from the Gin Kings in the third period behind outside connections by Wong and Nieto, and inside hits from Arana for an 84-69 advantage.
Converge went on with its offensive onslaught in the fourth period with Teng connecting with his layups, and Racal and Jolo Mendoza converting from the three-point area as the lead swelled to as high as 31 points.
Nard John Pinto and Sidney Onwubere finished with 19 points apiece, Jeremiah Gray added 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while Jayson David contributed 14 points as the Gin Kings dropped to 4-5.
In the first game, Terrafirma Dyip snapped their three-game losing skid after an 85-72 domination over the shorthanded San Miguel Beermen. The Dyip hiked its record to 4-6, while the Beermen ended their campaign with a 3-8 slate.
Holding to a slim 60-57 after three quarters, the Dyip started the fourth quarter strong with conversions from Javi Gomez de Liano and Juan Miguel Tiongson to build a 67-61 advantage.
The Beermen tried to keep the match close 66-69, but the Dyip got eight points from Eduardo Daquioag and three-pointers from Tiongson and Aldrech Ramos for their biggest lead of 13 points.
Tiongson top-scored for the Dyip with 15 points, including three outside connections, Daquioag chipped in 13 markers, while Negrense John Paul Calvo and Angelo Alolino ended with 10 points each.
CONVERGE 123 — Arana 30, Wong 26, Teng 18, Nieto 17, Racal 13, Ambohot 7, Mendoza 6, Stockton 6, Guinto 0, Ebona 0.
GINEBRA 95 — Pinto 19, Onwubere 19, Gray 17, David 14, Gumaru 6, Pessumal 6, Salcedo 4, R. Aguilar 4, Cu 2, Aurin 2, Ubalde 2, Dillinger 0.
Quarterscores: 27-19, 52-47, 84-69, 123-95./ASC, WDJ