MANILA, Philippines – Alec Stockton propelled Converge to its first-ever playoff win in franchise history in the most dramatic fashion.
Stockton sank the game-winning buzzer-beater as the FiberXers hacked out a 114-112 win over San Miguel to stay alive in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Monday, September 30.
His side in danger of being swept in the best-of-five affair, Stockton finished with 20 points, including a stepback jumper over CJ Perez at the buzzer that allowed Converge to complete its comeback from a 27-point deficit.
“Coach told us if we were going to go down this game, we’re going to go down swinging. We have nothing to lose, we’re down 0-2, and we just kept fighting,” said Stockton, who also tallied 8 assists and 7 rebounds.
Stockton redeemed himself after an ill-advised foul on Marcio Lassiter when the FiberXers were leading 112-109 with under 10 seconds remaining.
Fouled while taking a three-pointer, Lassiter drained all of his three free throws to tie the count.
Stockton, though, bounced back in the ensuing play, sizing up Perez and firing a fallaway shot just before time expired.
“We were up by three and I did almost cost us the game. I had to do something. I’m just glad I made that shot and we got ourselves another chance,” said Stockton.
Justin Arana led Converge in scoring with 23 points to go with 11 rebounds as he returned to action after sustaining a hyperextended knee last game, while import Jalen Jones contributed 17 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Bryan Santos added 15 points and Schonny Winston chipped in 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, delivering key plays down the stretch that kept the FiberXers afloat.
Winston scored back-to-back buckets, pulled off a steal, and assisted Stockton in succession for a 110-107 lead then buried a pair of pressure-packed free throws that gave his side a 112-109 edge with 10.9 seconds left.
King Caralipio chimed in 11 points and 7 rebounds for Converge, which erupted for 48 points in the fourth quarter to force a Game 4 on Friday, October 4, at the same venue.
The Beermen looked on their way to a blowout as their lead peaked at 83-56 off a layup by import EJ Anosike with less than three minutes remaining in the third period.
But Converge chiseled away at its deficit before ultimately pulling level at 102-102 thanks to a Jones bucket, setting up a wild finish that sustained the trend of the series which features an average winning margin of just 5.3 points.
Anosike put up 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists for San Miguel, while Perez tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Eight-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo had 12 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists in the losing effort.
The Scores
Converge 114 – Arana 23, Stockton 20, Jones 17, Santos 17, Caralipio 11, Winston 10, Cabagnot 8, Nieto 7, Delos Santos 2, Ambohot 1, Andrade 0.
San Miguel 112 – Anoseike 39, Perez 18, Lassiter 14, Fajardo 12, Romeo 12, Ross 6, Rosales 6, Trollano 3, Cruz 2, Brondial 0.
Quarters : 20-27, 44-53, 66-87, 114-112.
– Rappler.com
