FiberXers survive Road Warriors for second straight win

MANILA, Philippines -- The Converge FiberXers escaped the import-less NLEX Road Warriors, 112-110, in their PBA Governors’ Cup clash Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

After four straight defeats, the FiberXers have strung together two straight wins as they rose to a 5-4 win-loss record heading to the months-long PBA break. 

Cameron Clark feasted for the winning team with 37 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks and an assist, while Juan Gomez-de Liano and Justin arana chipped in 19 markers apiece. Justine Baltazar added 11 points. 

The two teams were kept in a close fight toward the end of the game, with a split from the line by Schonny Winston giving the NLEX squad an 88-86 lead. 

But a 7-0 run capped by an and-one play by Arana pushed Converge ahead, 93-88, with 4:57 left. 

The Road Warriors were able to take a slim lead, 99-97, after a 4-pointer by Robert Bolick, but Gomez-de Liano answered back with a 4-pointer of his own, which was followed up by a Clark deuce. 

Bolick then connected from the 3-point territory, making it a one-point deficit, 102-103, with 1:38 to go. 

After Gomez-de Liano and Winston traded buckets, an and-one play by Arana made it a 108-104 edge with 38.5 seconds remaining.

LJ Gonzales, then, nipped the lead away with a layup with 14.9 ticks left but clutch free throws by Gomez-de Liano pushed the Converge advantage to six, 112-106, with about three seconds remaining. 

And with the score all but settled, a late mishap by Calvin Abueva happened, as he fouled Gonzales on a 4-point heave, which connected, 110-102, with 0.6 seconds to go. 

And as Gonzales aimed to miss the free throw for a chance for the follow-up, Clark hauled down the rebound as time expired. 

“Back-to-back wins, yes, but I think we need more adjustment on our defense. Imagine, they don’t have import, but it’s a close game,” Converge head coach Delta Pineda said. 

“So, more adjustments this coming break, more adjustments for us in the defense.” 

Gonzales paced NLEX with 23 points, while Bolick had 19 markers, six boards and six dimes. Winston added 17, while JB Bahio had a double-double fo 16 points and 12 rebounds.

The Road Warriors, after the game, announced that Deonte Burton will be their next import. Their previous reinforcement, DeQuan Jones, sustained a horrific injury in their last game.