By REYNALD MAGALLON
Juan Gomez de Liano picked the perfect time to put together his best scoring performance, steering Converge to a stunning 106-96 victory over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Friday, Nov. 14.
The top rookie continued to live up to the lofty expectations, firing a career-high 32 points – including crucial baskets down the stretch to not only take down the Kings but also prove that they are the real deal in the all-Filipino conference.
De Liano shot 12-of-16 from the field while also hauling six rebounds and dishing out six assists to spearhead the attack for Converge, which won over Ginebra for the first time in the Philippine Cup.
Schonny Winston also provided ample support with 21 points while Justin Arana posted a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Justine Baltazar, likewise, did a little bit of everything with 12 points, seven boards and six assists.
Down two, 72-74, in the early goings of the fourth, the FiberXers went on an 11-0 spurt to seize an 83-74 advantage – a lead that they never relinquished the rest of the way even in the face of repeated Ginebra rallies.
With the win, Converge forged a five-way logjam for the second spot along with San Miguel, Magnolia, NLEX, and Rain or Shine with similar 5-2 records.
Ginebra, on the other hand, continued to struggle with a 2-4 slate.
Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos both unloaded 24 points but were not enough for the Kings, who are now barely clinging to the eighth spot.
Meanwhile, Magnolia bucked a slow start and then rode on a blistering second half performance to turn back Blackwater, 90-75.
