MANILA, Philippines-Juan Gomez de Liano sizzled for 32 points as Converge downed Barangay Ginebra, 106-96, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The rookie guard made 12 of 15 shots sparked by a first-half onslaught, as the FiberXers finally beat one of the perennial contenders in the Gin Kings to go 5-2 in the standings, joining four others in a tie for second.
Gomez de Liano also got plenty of help, with Schonny Winston finishing with 21 points off the bench for the FiberXers.. Justin Arana added 13 points and 13 rebounds, and Justine Baltazar 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Ginebra fell to 2-4 after losing the first of two games in three days, and the frustration got the best of coach Tim Cone.
Cone later voiced his frustration at Converge counterpart Delta Pineda and lead assistant Franco Atienza after Gomez de Liano scored a layup before the buzzer with the outcome already settled.
Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos scored 24 points apiece but the Gin Kings continued their struggles in the inner half of the eliminations.
The Gin Kings actually tied the count at 70-all at the end of the third, but Gomez de Liano led the FiberXers on a breakaway in the final period.