By REYNALD MAGALLON
Alec Stockton dazzled on both ends of the floor as Converge evaded the upset axe from Blackwater, 99-94, to get back on the winning track in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Stockton provided the tip to the FiberXers’ spear in the fourth quarter, firing 14 of his 29 points in the team’s searing fourth quarter rally and also pulled off the biggest stop of the contest when he forced Christian David to a crucial turnover late.
With Converge holding on precarious two-point lead, 96-94, the 6-foot-1 Stockton, who was giving up a few inches in height against the 6-foot-6 David, held his ground at the post as the Blackwater forward lost the ball to the sidelines.
The 27-year-old playmaker also had two steals and two blocks to his name while backcourt running mate Juan Gomez de Liano had 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Converge twin towers Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana both finished with double-doubles, with the two scoring 11 apiece but the former also collecting 14 rebounds to go with seven assists while the latter hauling down 11 rebounds.
The FiberXers remained in the upper half of the standings after improving to a 5-2 record while the Bossing absorbed their fifth straight defeat for a 1-6 slate despite another huge scoring output from Sedrick Barefield.
Meanwhile, NLEX pounced on the undermanned frontline of Rain or Shine and put up a dominant 105-91 victory.
The Road Warriors rode on the scintillating inside-outside attack that proved too much for the Elasto Painters who had to contend with a frontline that only featured Leonard Santillan and Gabe Norwood at the center spot.
As a result, NLEX dominated the paint battle, 56-31, which eventually opened up the floodgates with its outside snipers also getting it done from deep.
Robert Bolick led the way with a conference-best showing of 28 points to go with six rebounds and five assists.
As a result, NLEX dominated the paint battle, 56-31, which eventually opened up the floodgates with its outside snipers also getting it done from deep.
Robert Bolick led the way with a conference-best showing of 28 points to go with six rebounds and five assists.
JB Bahio also took advantage of his size inside the paint as he put up a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds to go with five assists and three blocks.
Xyrus Torres chipped in 15 just as Jonnel Policarpio and Dominic Fajardo with 10 apiece as the Road Warriors led by as many as 22 points behind a searing shooting in the second half.
NLEX bounced back from its loss to Barangay Ginebra last time out and also caught Rain or Shine at the second spot of the standings with similar 5-2 records.
