CONVERGE averted collapse and punched a big win to end its elims campaign with a 100-97 drubbing of San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila Wednesday night.
Schonny Winston piled up a game-high 25 points highlighted by key hits down the stretch as the FiberXers recovered from blowing an 18-point lead and escaped past the Beermen for a 7-4 closing card.
Justin Arana put up a good stand versus June Mar Fajardo with a 21-point performance, helping the FiberXers to a triumphant elims' finish that assured the team of at least sixth seeding in the playoffs.
In winning their last two games, Converge could have steered clear of a possible quarterfinals clash with San Miguel Beer.
As the NLEX Road Warriors (8-3) also dropped their match in the night against the NorthPort Batang Pier, the Beermen remained half-game off the pace at 7-3.
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Fajardo and his teammates, however, still have a shot at No. 1 as they're heavily favored versus the Batang Pier in the closing play date of the elims Sunday.
From 18 down, the Beermen chipped away and even rolled ahead at 93-89 before the FiberXers regrouped and dropped another bomb to finish the match.
CJ Perez missing a three-point attempt in their final possession dashed their last chance at forging an overtime.
Losses by NLEX and SMB made the race for the Top Four wild and wooly.
With four games to go, SMB is tied with Magnolia and Ginebra from second to fourth at 7-3 with Converge at 7-4 then TNT and Rain or Shine both at 6-4.(SB)
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The Scores :
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.
QUARTERS: 19-12, 53-37, 70-68, 100-97
