Converge and TNT provided a preview of what to expect when the PBA Governors’ Cup enters the playoffs next week as the FiberXers and the Tropang 5G played a thriller that was a relief after the tournament saw blowout results recently.
It was the FiberXers who emerged victorious at Ynares Center here after edging past the Tropang 5G in overtime, 114-112, a result that secured them third spot in Group A while giving them a much-needed preparation for the grueling stage of the season-ending conference.
‘We all know that TNT is one of the big boys in the league,’ coach Delta Pineda said in Filipino. ‘It was a big challenge for us, but we just told them not to give up.’
Alec Stockton played the hero’s role with a game-tying basket that forced a five-minute extension, before draining the go-ahead layup that broke the ice in Converge’s favor after the FiberXers had played catch up for most of regulation.
In winding up with an 8-4 record, Converge made the stop in the final seconds as TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson missed a shot that would have extended the game into a second overtime.
That gave the FiberXers a best-of-five date with the No. 2 team from Group B, which will be determined over the next two playdates of the group stage depending on how the Magnolia Hotshots, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Fuel Masters fare in their remaining games.
TNT, meanwhile, dropped to 7-5 for fourth place in the group, and will take on the No. 1 team from Group B, which will also come from either Magnolia, Rain or Shine or Phoenix.
Coach Chot Reyes is taking the Tropang 5G’s fate in stride, knowing that his side will be in for a tough series regardless.
Reyes seemed cool, calm and collected when he emerged from the dugout, with his focus now on TNT’s next phase in its bid to make the Finals for a sixth consecutive time.
‘We really treated this as a playoff game,’ Reyes said. ‘At least we were able to put up a good game against a very good team. But it’s just a shame that we couldn’t get the win.’
The FiberXers won an excruciating battle despite being down by 15, with Stockton being one of the top contributors with 19 points after an on-and-off campaign.
Import Cam Clark topscored for Converge by hitting 27 even as rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño connected for 22 points while dishing out eight assists.