CONVERGE tries to complete its comeback from a 0-2 deficit and seal a spot in the semifinal round when it faces San Miguel Beer in a win-or-go-home Game 5 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The FiberXers forged the rubber match on Friday night behind a strong second-half effort to pull off a 114-99 triumph over the Beermen.
That win was a fitting follow-up to the team’s 114-112 come-from-behind victory in Game 3.
Converge coach Franco Atienza took note of his wards’ effort both on defense and offense as key reasons for their second straight win to force the winner-take-all match in the series.
“We can’t go with them one-on-one. We need team defense and team offense,” said Atienza after the game. “It’s nice that despite the challenge of our import being in foul trouble, the locals stepped up.”
The FiberXers had plenty of heroes on Friday night, led by sophomore guard Schonny Winston, who dropped 16 of his 26 points in a pivotal Converge run in the third quarter to seize control.
Young big man Justin Arana was also superb with 25, while import Jalen Jones had 22 markers, seven rebounds and four steals in a fine all-around game.
The Beermen appeared to have lost steam in the second half, with the team just coming off its debut in the East Asia Super League Season 2 home-and-away tournament Thursday night against Korean club team Suwon KT Sonicboom.
But with their semifinal hopes at stake, the Beermen are expected to dig deep into their vast playoff experience and will to avert a playoff collapse.
EJ Anosike will again be at SMB’s forefront, having shown how he has perfectly fit the team despite coming in only during the playoffs to replace the injured Jordan Adams.
Eight-time league Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo is also expected to play a major role on both ends of the floor, along with CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter.
The winner earns the right to face Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-seven semifinal series.
