CONVERGE leaned on its awesome inside game to beat Rain or Shine, 130-118, Wednesday to move one win away from a cherished goal in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum
Cheick Diallo racked up 35 points, 17 rebounds and three blocked shots while fellow frontliners Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar also made significant contributions as the FiberXers got off to a rip-roaring start in the best-of-three quarterfinal duel.
Another win on Friday when the series shifts to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and Converge would realize a first-ever semifinals appearance since taking over the Alaska franchise before the 2022-23 season.
"Gigil kami talaga na makakuha. Hopefully, sa Friday makuha uli namin para at least makuha naming 'yung first semis," said Arana, who backstopped Diallo with 22 points and eight boards in just a little over 22 minutes of action off the bench.
Baltazar did his part with 13 points and six boards while joining hands with Diallo and Arana in a decisive 17-4 surge from a 105-104 count before the FiberXers stretched the difference to a high of 127-110.
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When Rain or Shine's defense tightened up in the shaded lane, Jordan Heading, Schonny Winston and Alec Stockton did their part from the perimeter that gave them a combined total of 51 points.
For Rain or Shine to at least stave off being swept, import Deon Thompson must do some serious re-thinking about his game that saw him net just 14 points and six rebounds before committing the last three of his fouls against Diallo in the opening minutes of the third period, forcing the Elasto Painters to play all-Filipino in the final 20:34 of the game.
Even Converge acting coach Franco Atienza acknowledged the absence of Thompson worked in his team's favor. "Whenever you have an import at 'yung kabila wala malaking bagay iyon," said the tactician.
"I think it's a good break for us na nawala si Deon, who's really a big presence inside. We just had a break, na nag-foul out siya," added Atienza.
For naught went Caelan Tiongson's personal conference-high 23 points, as well as the 14 points each by Anton Asistio and Adrian Nocum.
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Still, Converge clearly deserved the win, which was fashioned despite Rain or Shine getting off to a hot start that saw it boom in seven of its total 16 triples to post an early 34-17 lead.
In all, the FiberXers lorded it over the boards, 47-32, that resulted in a plus-32 advantage in second chance points. (NC)
The Scores :
CONVERGE 130 - Diallo 35, Arana 22, Heading 21, Winston 17, Stockton 13, Baltazar 13, Delos Santos 4, Santos 3, Racal 2, Ambohot 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 118 - Tiongson 23, Asistio 14, Nocum 14, Thompson 14, Datu 12, Clarito 10, Ildefonso 9, Caracut 8, Lemetti 6, Belga 5, Santillan 3.
QUARTERS: 26-39, 64-62, 99-96, 130-118
