Converge sets up playoff rematch vs mighty San Miguel after nipping Magnolia

MANILA, Philippines – Converge has its fingers crossed that the third time’s the charm in its return to the PBA playoffs.

The FiberXers will meet San Miguel in the quarterfinals for the third straight time after ending the elimination round of the Governors’ Cup with an 89-82 win over Magnolia at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Monday, September 23.

Import Jalen Jones and Justin Arana showed the way as Converge won four games in a row to finish Group A as the third seed with a 6-4 record and arrange a best-of-five date with the Beermen, who placed second in Group B.

Back in the playoffs after a forgettable campaign last season, the FiberXers hope to redeem themselves after their last two quarterfinal appearances both ended in heartbreaking defeats at the hands of powerhouse San Miguel.

The Beermen scored a 2-0 series win over Converge in the 2022-23 Commissioner’s Cup then made quick work of the FiberXers in the 2023 Governors’ Cup.

“We believe, I believe personally, that these players have grown. We learned a lot from that dismal season. Our showing today allowed us to grow as a team,” Converge interim coach Franco Atienza said.

“If we go one-on-one, we won’t be able to match up against [San Miguel], but the good thing is…you play 5-on-5 and we want to bank on that. We want to bank on our togetherness, our system, our playing as a team.”

Jones chalked up 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists for the FiberXers, who overcame a 15-point deficit in the second quarter, 27-42, to preserve the longest active winning streak in the PBA.

Arana put up a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double, Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston chipped in 10 points apiece, while King Caralipio added 9 points and 7 rebounds.

While Converge could have gone for a loss to avoid the Beermen — a team that ruled two of the last five conferences — Atienza said the FiberXers are always out to win.

“Our ballclub espouses always respect for the game. Every time, once we go to the court, you can count on the FiberXers that we would do our best,” said Atienza.

“We know the situation. Of course, we are reading the scenarios also. But we bank more on playing our game.”

Calvin Abueva and rookie Peter Alfaro fired 11 points each to pace the Hotshots, who fell to 5-5 to finish fourth in Group A and set up a quarterfinal clash with Group B leader Rain or Shine.

Giving injured Shabazz Muhammad the pink slip, Magnolia paraded a new import in Rayvonte Rice, who struggled in his PBA debut with just 5 points on 2-of-14 shooting to go with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.

The playoffs, which will also pit Barangay Ginebra against Meralco and TNT versus NLEX, will kick off on Wednesday, September 25.

The Scores

Converge 89 – Jones 27, Arana 12, Stockton 10, Winston 10, Caralipio 9, Santos 8, Andrade 7, Delos Santos 4, Melecio 2, Cabagnot 0, Ambohot 0, Fornilos 0, Fleming 0, Nieto 0, Zaldivar 0.

Magnolia 82 – Abueva 11, Alfaro 11, Sangalang 8, Balanza 8, Eriobu 8, Laput 7, Ahanmisi 6, Rice 5, Mendoza 5, Barroca 5, Reavis 2, Escoto 2, Lucero 2, Dionisio 2, Dela Rosa 0.

Quarters : 18-27, 41-50, 73-68, 89-82.

– Rappler.com