Juan Gomez de Liaño rifled in a career-high 32 points, capped by a layup with just seven seconds left — and with Converge's victory over Ginebra already in the bag.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone looked visibly upset when he approached Converge counterpart Delta Pineda at centercourt Friday night, Nov. 14.
The frustration stemmed from Juan Gomez de Liaño still going for a layup in the dying seconds with the game already decided.
Asked about it after the FiberXers' 106-96 win, Pineda admitted he instructed his star guard to do so because of the quotient system in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
“There’s a chance na 'yong losses namin, mag-meet kami sa huli. That’s why I gave the go signal kay Juan to score,” said Pineda, whose team improved to 5-2 to crowd the second spot with Magnolia, Rain or Shine, San Miguel and NLEX.
“Hindi po imposibleng mangyari, tama po? Sorry, nagbigay ako ng instruction. Pero, I think, kailangan namin. Close ang [standings] namin, close kami.”
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Juan Gomez de Liaño sizzles with career-best 32 points
Gomez de Liaño ended up as Player of the Game after churning out a career-high 32 points he spiked with six rebounds and six assists.
The rookie helped Converge break free from a neck-and-neck stretch in the fourth quarter.
He teamed up with Schonny Winston, who dropped 11 of his 21 points in the frame.
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Justin Arana posted a double-double of 13 points and the same number of rebounds, while Justine Baltazar submitted 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
“Ang laking bagay na makuha namin 'tong game na 'to. It will help us in our remaining games,” said Pineda.
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Stephen Holt tried to keep the Gin Kings afloat in the fourth period, where he dropped 12 of his 24 points.
But against the FiberXers' well-oiled offense, there was really nothing much that Holt and Co. could do.
RJ Abarrientos also wound up with 24 points for Ginebra, which absorbed its fourth loss in six games to stay at eighth.
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Converge vs. Ginebra Scores:
Converge 106 – Gomez de Liano 32, Winston 21, Arana 13, Baltazar 12, Stockton 9, Concepcion 6, Garcia 4, Muyang 3, Javillonar 2, Delos Santos 2, Racal 2, Caralipio 0, Clemente 0, Santos 0, Eguilos 0
Ginebra 96 – Holt 24, Abarrientos 24, Thompson 10, David 10, J.Aguilar 7, Gray 7, Cu 6, Rosario 6, Torres 2, R.Aguilar 0
Quarterscores: 26-24, 54-49, 72-72, 106-96
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.