Stockton, Winston take turns to fuel Converge comeback win vs. Ginebra

Converge flipped the switch in the second half to erase a double-digit deficit against Barangay Ginebra en route to a 98-91 win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Saturday in Batangas City. 

The backcourt tandem of Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston led the charge and fueled the FiberXers' fightback from a deficit as big as 17 through a wild third quarter turnaround as they improved to 5-2, while the Gin Kings dropped to 3-2. 

With their backs against the wall after staring at a 57-40 hole at the half, Stockton took matters into his own hands after burying three triples and completing a three-point play as they pulled to within 12, 54-66. 

Justin Brownlee, whose 22 points in the first half carried Ginebra, knocked down a triple to make it another double-digit lead for them at 70-60. 

It was all Converge since then as the FiberXers responded with a 20-0 blast bridging the last two quarters with Winston capping it off with seven straight points for an 80-70 cushion early in the payoff period. 

The Gin Kings tried to restore order with Maverick Ahanmisi nailing a three-pointer to cut the deficit to four before Brownlee sank two freebies to come within three, 91-88. 

Brownlee then blocked and snatched the ball away from Jordan Heading to give Ginebra the opportunity to tie things up — or even take the lead — but RJ Abarrientos went wide on the three-pointer. 

That pretty much allowed Converge to finish the job with Stockton feeding the pass to Justin Arana for a layup before he split his freebies to put on the finishing kick. 

Stockton, who only had four points in the first half, finished with 22 markers alongside eight assists and six rebounds to steer the franchise to its third straight victory in the tournament. 

Winston tallied 15 points while Diallo posted a monster double-double of 19 markers and 18 boards, together with four assists while also putting the clamps on Brownlee. 

Brownlee, though, was still able to churn out 39 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal while Ahanmisi and Abarrientos registered 15 and 11 markers each. 

Scores:

Converge 98 – Stockton 22, Diallo 19, Winston 15, Heading 13, Arana 11, Santos 8, Baltazar 6 Racal 3, Nieto 1, Caralipio 0, Delos Santos 0, Andrade 0.

Barangay Ginebra 91 – Brownlee 39, Ahanmisi 15, Abarrientos 11, Thompson 8, Tenorio 5, Rosario 5, Mariano 4, Adamos 2, Cu 2, Holt 0.

Quarters: 21-23, 40-57, 73-70, 98-91.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News