CHEICK Diallo redeemed himself in a big way with 37 points and 18 rebounds to power Converge to a 102-91 victory over NLEX Tuesday in the Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Diallo scattered of his 12 points in the fourth period, providing the FiberXers with the much-needed poise, unlike last Thursday when he was saddled by foul trouble and limited to just 13 points and nine boards in a 101-108 loss to NorthPort.
"A good bounce back game for CD (Diallo)," said Converge acting head coach Franco Atienza after the game that jacked his team's record to 3-2.
"I mean, he proved his worth right here. We're least worried on having his numbers. He's a great big, but sometimes he gets scouted and teams plan for you," added Atienza. "Right now, it just so happened that we're getting him, guys are seeing him and feeding him off of his strength."
"This is a team win," insisted Diallo. "We just got to follow the scouting report, and I think the coaching staff did a great job preparing us for the game and everybody was on the same page."
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Justine Baltazar played a relatively minor role in the win with only four points, seven rebounds and four assists but Alec Stockton's 16 points, Jordan Heading's double-double of 14 points and 11 dimes and King Caralipio's 10 markers were enough to lead those who helped Diallo.
Mike Watkins finished with 36 points and 23 rebounds and Robert Bolick threw in 26 points and six boards, but failed to get enough help for NLEX, which dropped a second straight game and is now an even 3-3.
Trailing by double digits for most of the way since the second period, the Road Warriors did manage to rally around Watkins and stage a fightback that put them within 82-84, still 8:33 to go.
Stockton, however, strung up five straight points, Heading boomed in a triple and Diallo had four points in a 12-4 exchange that pushed Converge's lead back up to 96-86.
After scattering 16 of his points in the third period Bolick tried to spark another rally. But Diallo would not be denied as he scored all of the FiberXers' last six points that made it a 102-91 count that proved safe enough going to the last 1:20 of play.
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"It just so happened that we were able to play together defensively and of course run our system on offense," said Atienza. "It's an overall team effort."(NC)
The Scores :
CONVERGE 102 - Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.
NLEX 91 - Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.
QUARTERS : 28-18, 52-44, 77-72, 102-91
