PBA: Blackwater staves off late Converge rally, seizes solo top spot

Blackwater almost squandered a huge lead, but held on enough to fend off a late rally from Converge and pull of 90-78 victory to remain unbeaten in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bossing built a 35-point advantage halfway through the third quarter before the FiberXers staged a fourth quarter fightback led by Justin Arana. Despite this, the rejigged Blackwater stayed composed in the endgame to improve to 3-0. 

Converge, meanwhile, slipped to 0-3 hole. 

Christian David completed a layup that brought Blackwater to a 90-66 lead, but Converge showed resistance by unleashing a 12-0 rampage instigated by big man Arana. The reigning Rookie of the Year scored eight of the last points for Converge but his efforts went for naught as Blackwater still emerged on top. 

David led Blackwater with 16 points alongside five rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block while Rey Suerte ignited for four triples to finish with 14 markers, four boards, one dime, one swat, and one block. 

RK Ilagan, who led their second quarter barrage, tallied 12 points. 

Alec Stockton top-scored the hard-luck Converge, churning out 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals while Arana posted 18 markers but was limited to just two boards. 

Scores:

Blackwater 90 – David 16, Suerte 14, Ilagan 12, Escoto 12, Rosario 10, Nambatac 7, Yap 5, Sena 3, DiGregorio 3, Tungcab 2, Guinto 2, Kwekuteye 2, Hill 2, Jopia 0.

Converge 78 – Stockton 24, Winston 22, Arana 18, Fleming 6, Fornilos 3, Balanza 2, Maagdenberg 1, Santos 0, Caralipio 0, Melecio 0, Nieto 0, Ambohot 0, Zaldivar 0.

Quarters: 30-14, 58-29, 76-50, 90-78.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News