MANILA, Philippines — For the second straight conference, Converge started its campaign with a blowout against Terrafirma.
The FiberXers ripped the Dyip to shreds, 116-87, in a dominant PBA Commissioner’s Cup kickoff last night at the PhilSports Arena that mirrored their opening 32-point rout in the previous Governors’ Cup.
Led by former NBA player Cheick Diallo and Justin Arana, the FiberXers asserted their might inside to break away from their opponent, which struggled to gain traction minus veteran Christian Standhardinger and newly acquired Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel due to injuries.
The league’s youngest ballclub punched in 52 points in the paint and hauled down 70 rebounds – twice the output of Terrafirma – while netting 17 second-chance markers.
Diallo turned in a 25-point, 16-rebound outing in his PBA debut as Arana produced 16 and 12. Bryan Santos (12) and Mike Nieto (11) were also on point as did Gilas special draftee Jordan Heading, Converge’s trade acquisition who shot eight and issued six assists in his maiden appearance.
“More than the win, we look at the process, we look at how we played today. It’s just a good overall game for us,” said coach Franco Atienza.
Later, guest team Eastern hit the ground running with a 102-87 drubbing of Phoenix.
Cameron Clark dropped 25 while Hayden Blankley, a fixture on the old Bay Area team, had 18-8-5 in sparking the Hong Kong side to the W.