MANILA – Juan Gomez de Liaño delivered a sensational triple-double as Converge FiberXers erupted for 53 points in the final quarter to demolish Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 152-119, and bolster their crossover semifinal aspirations in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Gomez de Liaño spearheaded the FiberXers’ offensive onslaught with 32 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, powering Converge to its sixth victory in 10 outings and keeping the squad firmly in contention for a crossover semifinal berth.
Import Cameron Clark provided ample firepower with 30 points, while Justine Baltazar dominated the paint with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Alec Stockton added 16 markers, Calvin Abueva contributed 15, while Jonnel Policarpio and Justin Arana chipped in 11 points apiece in Converge’s balanced offensive assault.
The FiberXers seized control early, building a 38-27 advantage after the opening quarter, but the Giant Risers managed to keep pace through the middle periods.
Converge, however, turned a competitive encounter into a one-sided demolition in the payoff period, unleashing a blistering 53-point fourth-quarter explosion while holding Titan Ultra to just 29 points.
The decisive 24-point scoring advantage in the final frame underscored the FiberXers’ offensive dominance as they stretched their winning margin to 33 points.
Tirell Brown II carried the scoring load for Titan Ultra with 31 points, while Joshua Munzon supplied 22 and Aris Dionisio finished with 16.
The defeat sent the Giant Risers tumbling to a 2-8 win-loss record, further diminishing their postseason prospects.
Meanwhile, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots secured a quarterfinals berth after extending their dominance over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel with a convincing 112-93 victory in another Governors’ Cup encounter.
Zavier Lucero spearheaded Magnolia’s attack with 21 points, while Jerom Lastimosa fired 16 and veteran playmaker Mark Barroca contributed 15 as the Hotshots improved to a 6-3 record.
Import KJ Buffen added 14 markers, Peter Alfaro chipped in 12, and Ian Sangalang contributed 10 as Magnolia booked its place in the tournament’s quarterfinal round.
The Hotshots’ 19-point triumph reinforced their mastery of the Gin Kings while giving them valuable momentum heading into the crucial stages of the conference.
New Ginebra import Jordan Murphy led the Gin Kings with 16 points, while Rhon Jay Abarrientos contributed 12. George Isaac Go and Raymond Aguilar finished with 10 markers each.
The loss dropped Barangay Ginebra to a 3-5 record, leaving the crowd favorites facing mounting pressure in their remaining games./PN
