Alec Stockton keeps Converge's playoff hopes alive after double-double showing vs. Meralco

Alec Stockton came alive when it mattered most, fueling Converge's late push in the fourth quarter to escape Meralco, 105-97, and keep their playoff hopes alive in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. 

The former FEU standout poured 12 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 27-point outing alongside 11 rebounds, five assists, and two steals as the FiberXers secured their third straight win to overtake Magnolia at the third spot in Group A with a 5-4. 

The Bolts, meanwhile, fell to 6-3. 

"It was a battle in the fourth quarter. We're just glad that our players held on, our import was there, and this guy (Stockton) showed up and got the work done," said Converge head coach Franco Atienza. 

"He had very good numbers today and we're just glad that we were able to force the win today."

Stockton broke a 94-all deadlock after drawing the sixth foul of Chris Newsome in the final 2:41 then made two free throws out of it, but Meralco regained a 97-96 lead after CJ Cansino buried three freebies of his own. 

Stockton then escaped the defense of Chris Banchero twice, first knocking down a stepback triple before completing a jumper to give the streaking Converge a four-point advantage. 

Tension rose between Stockton and Banchero with the former being whistled for a technical foul, but Cansino missed out on the free throw. Another pair of charities from Stockton and a two-handed slam from Jalen Jones put the punctuation for the FiberXers. 

Jones tallied 32 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists and two steals while Justin Arana chipped in 12 markers, six boards, and two dimes. 

Scores:

Converge 105 – Jones 32, Stockton 27, Arana 12, Winston 8, Caralipio 8, Delos Santos 7, Santos 6, Ambohot 3, Nieto 2, Melecio 0, Andrade 0, Vigan-Fleming 0, Fornilos 0.

Meralco 97 – Durham 25, Cansino 21, Newsome 14, Quinto 12, Banchero 10, Caram 6, Hodge 5, Bates 2, Almazan 2, Jose 0, Mendoza 0, Rios 0.

Quarters: 29-30, 51-53, 79-77, 105-97.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News