Converge rallies past Phoenix from 20-2 hole; TNT blasts Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines – Converge stamped its class as a rising contender in the PBA as it took down Phoenix, 116-105, in the 2024-25 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday, December 19.

Rallying from down 18, 20-2, in the early stages of the first quarter, the FiberXers chalked up a hard-earned fourth win in six games to place sixth ahead of San Miguel (3-2), while the Fuel Masters failed to build on its breakthrough victory to fall to a 1-5 card at 11th.

Fil-Aussie sniper Jordan Heading led the spirited comeback with a team-high 21 points, 3 rebounds, and game-highs of 6 assists and 5 steals in 36 minutes of action. Import Cheick Diallo likewise scored 21 with 16 rebounds, while Schonny Winston and Bryan Santos added 16 points apiece.

Prized rookie Justine Baltazar also made a stellar two-way impact in just 25 minutes with 6 points, 13 boards (8 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 block.

All the way up from its early deficit, Converge took its first lead halfway through the third quarter off a pair of Santos free throws, 69-67, and somehow never relinquished it the rest of the way despite Phoenix coming within a single possession multiple times throughout the final two frames.

The Fuel Masters last threatened down one, 95-94, at the midway point of the fourth before the FiberXers finally crushed all hope of a last momentum swing with a 9-0 surge, ending with a pair of Heading charities, 105-94, with 3:38 to play.

Import Donovan Smith paced the losing cause with a game-high 30-point, 18-rebound double-double in 44 minutes, while veteran sniper RJ Jazul scored 20 in 21 minutes off a 5-of-10 clip and 2-of-2 from four-point range.

Meanwhile, TNT cruised to back-to-back wins from a 0-2 start after shellacking lowly Blackwater, 109-93.

Super import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the balanced effort with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. Rey Nambatac and Calvin Oftana led the local crew with 19 and 18 points, respectively, as veteran Jayson Castro added 16 points and 3 steals on a near-perfect 5-of-6 clip.

Top import George King led all scorers with 28 points in 42 minutes, while RK Ilagan was the only other double-digit scorer with 19 in just as many minutes on the floor.

Blackwater fell to a 1-5 slate, just above fellow cellar-dweller Terrafirma (0-6).

The Scores

First Game

Converge 116 – Heading 21, Diallo 21, Winston 16, Santos 16, Stockton 14, Andrade 11, Arana 6, Baltazar 6, Racal 5, Delos Santos 0, Caralipio 0.

Phoenix 105 – Smith 30, Jazul 20, Tio 13, Perkins 12, Rivero 11, Tuffin 8, Verano 4, Garcia 3, Soyud 2, Manganti 2, Salado 0, Alejandro 0, Muyang 0, Ular 0, Daves 0.

Quarters : 15-30, 48-54, 87-80, 116-105.

Second Game

TNT 109 – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 19, Oftana 18, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 10, Galinato 6, Erram 4, Razon 2, Varilla 0, Aurin 0, Exciminiano 0.

Blackwater 93 – King 28, Ilagan 19, Chua 9, Kwekuteye 9, David 8, Suerte 5, Escoto 4, Ponferrada 3, Montalbo 2, Casio 2, COrteza 2, Guinro 1, Ayonayon 1, Jopia 0, Hill 0.

Quarters : 28-18, 57-48, 82-69, 109-93.

– Rappler.com