Converge rolls past undermanned Rain or Shine to move on cusp of semis

Converge proved to be too much for an undermanned Rain or Shine as it eked out a 130-118 win in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series in PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The FiberXers took advantage of an all-Filipino Elasto Painters, who lost import Deon Thompson early in the third quarter after he incurred six fouls, to move a win away from a semifinals ticket. 

Even without its reinforcement on the floor, Rain or Shine refused to go down without a fight with locals stepping up as Keith Datu pulled them to within just two points before heading to the fourth period, 96-99. 

Adrian Nocum then completed a three-point play to make it a 104-105 deficit early in the fourth as Rain or Shine continued to power through amid the manpower shortage. 

Justin Arana came alive, making up for lost time after he was forced to sit out due to a flagrant foul late in the third. The former Arellano University standout unleashed a personal 7-0 run to send Converge to a 112-104 cushion. 

Cheik Diallo then converted back-to-back baskets before Justine Baltazar posterized Beau Belga through a one-handed slam for a more comfortable 122-108 lead with still 3:50 to go. 

Diallo top-scored Converge with 35 points alongside 17 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks while the frontcourt tandem of Arana and Baltazar finished with 22 and 13 markers each. 

Jordan Heading put together 21 points while Alec Stockton churned out 21 markers, nine dimes, and three rebounds. 

Scores:

Converge 130 – Diallo 35, Arana 22, Heading 21, Winston 17, Stockton 13, Baltazar 13, Delos Santos 4, Santos 3, Racal 2, Ambohot 0.

Rain or Shine 118 – Tiongson 23, Asistio 14, Nocum 14, Thompson 14, Datu 12, Clarito 10, Ildefonso 9, Caracut 8, Lemetti 6, Belga 5, Santillan 3.

Quarters: 26-39, 64-62, 99-96, 130-118.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News