The Converge FiberXers chalked up a win after the opening day loss to the NLEX Road Warriors in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament in Davao City.
Justine Baltazar nailed the go-ahead basket and Converge outlasted Phoenix, 100-98 to pick up its first win in the Kadayawan Invitational Basketball Tournament on Friday, Aug. 22.
The FiberXers improved their record to 1-1, while the Fuel Masters remained winless in two games after the loss at the USEP Gymnasium in Davao City.
Baltazar asked for the ball from the post, took a couple of dribbles against Kai Ballungay before making the smooth one-hander with 14.9 ticks left to play.
With a lifetime left to make something happen, the Fuel Masters turned to the old reliable Tyler Tio.
Tio let a three go, but saw his shot bounce off to his spot and secured the rebound.
With only three seconds left to work with, Tio decided to drive left and went for a floater that rimmed out.
Over 40 seconds before that play, the Fuel Masters seemed to have the game in the bag after Tio hit a jumper in the face of JVee Casio for a 98-95 lead.
But Bryan Santos was fouled while taking a shot from deep in the ensuing play, leading to three free throws that tied the game.
That’s when Baltazar took matters into his own hands after a quiet offense for most of the night.
Converge will next face Blackwater on Saturday, August 23, before the 7:30 p.m. clash between NLEX and Phoenix.