JDL steps up big and helps FiberXers into quarterfinals
ANTIPOLO—Juan Gomez de Liaño got one over his brother Javi on Friday and helped Converge book its place in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup here.
Gomez de Liaño’s 27 points behind four triples and one four-pointer allowed the FiberXers to take down the Magnolia Hotshots, 114-97, at Ynares Center to join three others and the winner of the TNT-San Miguel Beer face-off atop the standings at 6-2.
Two of those trifectas came at the expense of Javi during the third quarter, which enabled Converge to seize control after trailing by eight at halftime.
“It’s always a great feeling to play with my brother because we’re out here chasing dreams,” he said.
Javi had 10 points and four rebounds in 18 minutes as he was on the losing end that saw Magnolia fall to 5-3.
The win, however, came with a bit of a prize as the FiberXers’ twin towers, Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana, sustained some ailments late.
Baltazar, who had 19 points and 17 rebounds, cramped up in the fourth but returned for the final minutes, while Arana twisted his ankle in the fourth.
Converge hopes that its big men come in at 100 percent in the big games that lie ahead, especially on Sunday against Rain or Shine at Ynares Center, Montalban, in faraway Rodriguez.
“We still have a long way to go,” said coach Delta Pineda when told that Converge had clinched a top-eight spot.
Another heavyweight down
It was the second straight time that Converge beat one of the perennial contenders after taking down Barangay Ginebra before the Fiba break.
“It’s really a big boost for our team heading into the playoffs,” said Gomez de Liaño.
JDL scored 14 of his total in the second half, as the FiberXers rallied from an eight-point deficit at the half.
Alec Stockton finished with 23 points and was another player who tormented the Hotshots with impunity all game as Converge roared to a third straight win.
Zavier Lucero’s career-high 31 points went to naught as Magnolia tries to bounce back, also on Sunday, opposite NLEx, which is also tied for first at 6-2 like Rain or Shine.
Now at 5-3, the Hotshots need to string together wins once more to climb into the upper half of teams advancing past this round.
Teams outside the quarterfinal race play on Saturday at the same venue with Titan Ultra (2-6) going up against Terrafirma (1-6) at 5:15 p.m. before Blackwater (1-6) and Phoenix (2-6) square off at 7:30 p.m.
