Converge deals San Miguel first loss in Governors' Cup

The Converge FiberXers bounced back and eked out a win against San Miguel, 107-103, dealing the Beermen their first loss in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup.

The FiberXers led by just one, 99-98, with two minutes left in the game before Maverick Ahanmisi drilled a triple to extend Converge's lead to four.

San Miguel's CJ Perez completed a three-point play at the 1:06 mark but import Jamaal Franklin responded with another basket to make it a 104-101 advantage.

A Vic Manuel foul put Converge's Justin Arana on the line, where he made two free throws to further extend the lead, 106-101. Manuel missed two free throws off a Franklin foul, before a Jericho Cruz shot cut the deficit back down to three. A Jerrick Balanza freebie sealed the deal as the FiberXers officially handed the Beermen their first loss in the import-laden conference.

Franklin led Converge with team-highs of 37 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists while Maverick Ahanmisi added 15 markers.

Import Cameron Clark and Perez led San Miguel with 30 and 28 points, respectively. Clark also grabbed 12 rebounds in the loss.

With the win, both Converge and SMB share a 5-1 card.

Converge will play the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday, while SMB will try to bounce back when they face the NorthPort Batang Pier on Wednesday.

The scores:

Converge 107 – Franklin 37, Ahanmisi 15, Stockton 14, Balanza 11, Arana 9, Ebona 8, Tratter 6, Teng 5, Guinto 2, Racal 0, Murrell 0

SMB 103 – Clark 30, Perez 28, Cruz 14, Lassiter 8, Fajardo 7, Tautuaa 4, Bulanadi 3, Ross 3, Manuel 2, Brondial 2, Enciso 2

Quarters: 29-23, 50-49, 81-76, 107-103

—JMB, GMA Integrated News