Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar helped the Converge FiberXers stay in the win column in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar continued to position themselves among the PBA’s elite bigs.
Arana and Baltazar posted impressive numbers as Converge thwarted Rain or Shine, 107-97, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Wednesday, April 30.
Arana dazzled with 18 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and three steals, while rookie Baltazar had a double-double of his own with his 13 points and 22 rebounds he spiked with three assists, a steal, and three blocks.
Behind the duo, the FiberXers scored a third straight win for a 4-2 record.
Helping them were Schonny Winston and Alec Stockton.
Winston finished with 24 points, three rebounds and five assists — numbers that made him Player of the Game.
Stockton had the same number of points on top of three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Converge coach Franco Atienza said that his charges fought to control the pace against the Elasto Painters.
“'Yong pace na nilalaro nila (Elasto Painters), sobrang bilis. They dictated the tempo during the first half and especially during the fourth quarter. Sobrang bilis ng game,” said Atienza.
“I’m just glad our players were able to turn it around. We resisted the temptation to go fast; we tried to control the pace. If you have that size and you play up and down with the fast tempo, hindi ka mananalo against Rain or Shine.”
[WATCH: Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana bring twice the power for Converge | PBA Highlights]
With a gritty Elasto Painters breathing down their necks for the most part, the FiberXers were only able to pull away in the final minutes, thanks in large part to Stockton.
The spitfire guard dropped nine of his total output in the payoff period, including five in the last 2:15 that put the game away for good.
Santi Santillan paced Rain or Shine with 26 points, six rebounds and a block.
Gian Mamuyac had another stellar performance of 25 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block but the Elasto Painters still slid to 2-3.
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Converge vs Rain or Shine Scores:
CONVERGE 107 – Winston 24, Stockton 24, Arana 18, Baltazar 13, Racal 9, Suerte 7, Caralipio 5, Garcia 4, Santos 2, Corpuz 1, Delos Santos 0, Nermal 0, Ambohot 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 97 – Santillan 26, Mamuyac 25, Nocum 11, Lemetti 6, Norwood 5, Caracut 5, Asistio 5, Clarito 2, Escandor 1, Malonzo 0.
Quarterscores: 25-31, 53-54, 84-78, 107-97.