By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bryan Santos heated up from the three-point area as the Converge FiberXers scored their breakthrough win in the PBA Philippine Cup, taking down the Meralco Bolts, 104-99, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Sunday afternoon, April 21.
The former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers gunner connected on seven triples to finish with 22 points to go with five rebounds as the FiberXers improved to a 1-8 win-loss slate.
After being down by as much as 11 points in the first half, the FiberXers mounted a huge run in the third quarter behind Santos, King Caralipio and Justin Arana as they tied the score at 77-all.
Following exchanges of leads between the two teams, Santos broke a 97-all deadlock with a booming triple from the corner with two minutes left. Free throws by Deschon Winston and a basket by JL delos Santos sealed the win for the FiberXers.
Alec Stockton chipped in 20 points, Arana contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Winston and Delos Santos ended up with 14 and 10 points, respectively, for Converge, which ended their 10-game losing skid since last conference.
“We are excited for this win. Hindi namin iniisip ‘yung eight losses eh. Nasa likod na namin ‘yung eight straight losses eh,” FiberXers head coach Aldin Ayo said.
“The players are motivated. The whole team is motivated to get this first win,” he added.
Chris Newsome led the way with 25 points, Chris Banchero added 20 markers, while Aaron Black and Clifford Hodge ended with 19 and 10 points, respectively, as the Bolts dropped to 3-5.
Meanwhile, the San Miguel Beermen, now with a league-leading 7-0 win-loss slate, leaned on a strong start to wallop the NorthPort Batang Pier (4-5), 120-100.
Jaymar Perez spearheaded the lopsided win with 29 points, while Moala Tautuaa added 15 markers as the Beermen moved closer to a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.
Marcio Lassiter contributed 14 points, Celedonio Trollano finished with 13 markers, while June Mar Fajardo and Jeron Teng also had double-digit outputs of 12 and 10, respectively, for Beermen./ASC, WDJ
CONVERGE 104 — Santos 22, Stockton 20, Arana 18, Winston 14, Delos Santos 10, Caralipio 9, Maagdenberg 4, Melecio 4, Nieto 2, Vigan-Fleming 1, Fornillos 0.
MERALCO 99 — Newsome 25, Banchero 20, Black 19, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Caram 6, Bates 5, Pasaol 5, Rios 0, Pascual 0, Maliski 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 42-53, 77-77, 104-99.