FiberXers survives Beermen’s late run in PBA PH Cup

Converge FiberXers’ Bryan Santos grabs the rebound as San Miguel Beermen’s Jaymar Perez looks on. PBA PHOTO
Converge FiberXers’ Bryan Santos grabs the rebound as San Miguel Beermen’s Jaymar Perez looks on. PBA PHOTO

MANILA – Converge FiberXers squandered a double-digit lead before escaping with a 100-97 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Leading by as many as 18 points in the third quarter, the FiberXers found themselves trailing at 89-93 before Deschon Winston converted five straight points followed by baskets from JL Delos Santos and King Caralipio to take a 99-93 lead.

The Beermen responded with a four-point shot from Celedonio Trollano to cut the deficit to 97-99. The FiberXers extended the lead to 100-97 via a split free throw from Delos Santos before SMB’s Jaymar Perez missed on a game-tying triple.

Winston finished with 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Justin Arana and Delos Santos chipped in 21 and 13 markers, respectively, as the FiberXers improved to a 7-4 win-loss slate.

“It was a tough game, alam naman nating perennial title contender (ang Beermen). With their performance this conference, it was a tall order,” said FiberXers interim head coach Franco Atienza after the win.

Perez and June Mar Fajardo led the way for the Beermen with 17 points apiece, while Moala Tautuaa, Juan Miguel Tiongson, and Kris Rosales had 14, 13, and 11, respectively, as they dropped to a 7-3 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, also-ran NorthPort Batang Pier (2-8) showed steadiness down the stretch to defeat top-seed NLEX Road Warriors (8-3), 103-98, and snap an eight-game losing skid.

With NorthPort holding to a 107-98 lead with two minutes left, NLEX went on a 7-1 scoring run behind Robbie Herndon, Kevin Alas, and Enoch Valdez to cut the deficit to 105-108, but the Batang Pier increased it to 110-105 on a Cade Flores basket.

The Road Warriors had a chance to cut the deficit further but Herndon made just three of his four free throws. The Batang Pier got a layup from Fran Yu and a free throw from Flores to seal the win.

Flores finished with a double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds, Yu chipped in 21 markers, including five three-point conversions, while Calvin Abueva contributed 19 markers for the Batang Pier./PN

BOX SCORE:

CONVERGE 100 – Winston 25, Arana 21, Delos Santos 13, Stockton 7, Baltazar 7, R. Santos 6, B. Santos 6, Garcia 5, Racal 3, Caralipio 2, Corpuz 0.

SAN MIGUEL 97 – Fajardo 17, Perez 17, Tautuaa 14, Tiongson 13, Rosales 11, Cruz 8, Teng 4, Trollano 4, Lassiter 3, Cahilig 3, Brondial 3, Ross 0.

Quarterscores: 19-12, 53-37, 70-68, 100-97.

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