Converge is solidifying its new reputation as a team with the ability to climb out of a deep pit and ultimately bury its opponent there.
The FiberXers added Barangay Ginebra to their list of victims, fighting back from 17 pounds to steal a 98-91 win in a thrilling road encounter in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum Sunday.
At the center of this spectacular comeback were Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston, who took turns spearheading the major turnaround in the second half that ensured their third straight win and 5-2 overall.
Stockton started the furious fightback, whipping up a 17-point storm in the third quarter to key a telling 33-13 exchange that swung the pendulum their way.
Winston took the gunner’s seat in the fourth, shooting the period’s first seven markers to ignite a 16-8 bomb that lifted Converge to its largest lead, 89-78.
From there, the FiberXers fended off the crowd darlings’ final stand with clutch baskets by Cheick Diallo and Justin Arana. They completed a perfect follow-up to their 116-110 disposal of Phoenix, where they wiped out an 18-point deficit.
Before that, Stockton and Co. hammered out a comeback from 20 down in a 93-91 thriller over Magnolia.
Stockton finished with 22 markers, six rebounds, and eight assists to lead Converge, while Diallo produced 19-18, Winston shot 15, and Jordan Heading netted 15.
Justin Brownlee’s 39-point explosion went down the drain as the Gin Kings missed out on back-to-back wins, dropped to 3-2 and slipped out of second spot in the standings ahead of their Christmas Clasico duel with Magnolia.
The scores:
Converge 98 – Stockton 22, Diallo 19, Winston 15, Heading 13, Arana 11, Santos 8, Baltazar 6, Racal 3, Nieto 1, Andrade 0, Caralipio 0, Delos Santos 0.
Ginebra 91 – Brownlee 39, Ahanmisi 15, Abarrientos 11, Thompson 8, Tenorio 5, Rosario 5, Mariano 4, Adamos 2, Cu 2, Holt 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 40-57, 73-70, 98-91