FiberXers shrink Giant Risers to end slump

MANILA, Philippines -- The dry spell of the Converge FiberXers is over. 

Converge snapped its five-game losing streak after blasting Titan Ultra, 103-82, in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup skirmish Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Justin Arana carried the offense for the FIberXers with 19 points, three assists and two rebounds, while Juan Gomez-de Liano chipped in 15 markers, seven boards and two dimes. 

Calvin Abueva had 14 points and five rebounds. 

After the game, Abueva said he is hoping that after the skid, another kind of streak will be on the horizon for them.

“Sa akin lang siguro, nung first game ko against Rain or Shine, parang 50-50 e. Parang hindi pa ako handa. Pero trinabaho ko, bago this game, yung three games na yun and ang resulta, mas umokay, mas gumaan and mas naging agresibo ako sa loob,” Abueva said after the game. 

“Actually, bago pa naman medyo ang team and hindi pa naaayos yung gusot, hindi pa nalalabhan and napaplantsa. Sana itong second win namin, dito na kami magtuloy-tuloy dahil naputol na ang losing streak namin,” he added. 

“Sana, winning streak naman,” 

Converge led by two, 25-23, late in the first quarter. 

But a 17-5 run that extended to the second quarter broke the game open, 45-28, after a layup by Arana. 

This separation set the tone the rest of the way, as Titan tried to climb out of the hole. 

But it was too big to overcome, as Converge's lead grew to as much as 22 points, 95-73, with 5:05 remaining after an Arana jumper. 

Kylor Kelley had 10 markers, 14 boards, three dimes and three blocks for Converge. 

Michael Gilmore rose up for the Giant Risers with 26 points, 16 rebounds and two steals. Joshua Munzon chipped in 15 points, while Pao Javillonar and Ato Ular had 11 each. 

“We’re a new team. So, huwag tayong mag-expect na ganun ka-fluid yung game namin. But right now, andoon kami sa sitution na every game, we need to treat as do-or-die para sa amin, one game at a time. Yun na lang ang sinabi ko sa mga bata,” Converge head coach Delta Pineda said. 

“We need to focus for every game. Pilpin namin na lumaban sa lahat ng remaining games po namin.”

The FiberXers rose to 2-5, while Titan dropped to 2-4.