FiberXers send Giant Pandas packing in 54-point demolition

MANILA, Philippines -- So long and farewell, Macau Giant Pandas. 

Converge sent Macau off the PBA in another blowout, 162-108, in their PBA Governors’ Cup matchup Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

The 54-point defeat is Macau’s fifth straight by double digits. The nearest loss they got in that stretch was the 19-point loss against the Terrafirma Dyip. 

Cameron Clark powered Converge with 32 points, three rebounds and three assists. Justin Arana added 16 markers, 10 boards and four dimes, while Jaydee Tungcab produced 15 points, seven assists, five steals and three rebounds. 

The game was all but over as early as the first quarter, after the FiberXers took a 41-19 lead. 

The lead grew to 27 in the first half, as Clark produced 28 points in the first two quarters, getting anything he wanted. 

The second half was more of the same, as the FiberXers continued to pounce on their opponents despite the hot shooting of Kobey Lam. 

The 54-point spread at the end was the biggest of the game. 

Converge, already assured of a quarterfinal berth, has now won four straight games and rose to 7-4. 

Macau, on the other hand, exited the import-laden conference with a 2-10 slate. 

Juan Gomez-de Liano and JL Clemente had 13 points each, with the former also recording a triple-double with 12 assiswts adn 11 rebounds. Ronan Santos and Alec Stockton had 11 and 10 in 12 minutes of action. 

Lam waxed hot for Macau with 49 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. 

Oscar Lopez Jr. added 27 points. 

Reports earlier indicated that the Giant Pandas may not be invited back to the PBA after two dismal conferences. 

Following the resumption of the Governors’ Cup after the FIBA and Asian Games break, several key cogs of the Giant Pandas left the team, including Damian Chong Qui and Ramon Cao. 

The FiberXers, meanwhile, will end their elimination round campaign against the TNT Tropang 5G on Sunday.