By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Converge FiberXers survived the gritty Phoenix Fuel Masters, 132-127, during the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup to set their blazing winning streak to six-straight games last November 9.
Both teams entered their highly-anticipated matchup with a five-game winning streak to protect but it was the FiberXers who rose to the occasion despite the tough challenge from Phoenix’s patient defense.
Quincy Miller had a night to remember for Converge after setting his new PBA career-high in points with 46 markers.
Miller went unconscious from the three-point range after going wild in the second quarter and buried eight of his team’s 22 total treys while also grabbing 18 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals.
Aside from Miller’s offensive output, Converge’s bench proved to be one of the most reliable units in the PBA led by RK Ilagan who dropped 22 big points, two rebounds, and two assists.
The Fuel Masters had a decent outing in the first half after matching Converge’s up-and-down pace but eventually lost gas in the last two quarters.
Only clinging to a three-point lead with four minutes remaining in the ball game, the trio of Miller, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Jeron Teng joined hands to balloon their lead to as much as 11 points.
The Fuel Masters uncorked one last offensive rally and trimmed their deficit to just four points, 131-127, but time wasn’t on their side as Converge gained the next possession with only 50 seconds left in the ball game.
Despite collecting their sixth-straight win, Converge head coach Aldin Ayo wasn’t impressed with how his team closed the game.
“To be honest, we’re winning but in a way, our game is, in a way, deteriorating. We want the players to be consistent, and kung hindi pa tumutunog ‘yung final buzzer, dapat dire-diretso ‘yung laro. It happened na we were up … we relaxed, and we had a turnover, and they were able to convert it,” said Ayo after the game.
On the other hand, the Fuel Masters lost their first game in two weeks and are looking to bounce back tomorrow when they square off against the no.1 team Magnolia Chicken Timplados.
Phoenix had another double-double outing of 25 points and 21 rebounds from hardworking import Kaleb Wesson but wasn’t enough to match Miller’s career night.
