Converge FiberXers young star Justine Baltazar against the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The Converge FiberXers continued its impressive showing in its penultimate assignment in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.

The Franco Atienza and Charles Tiu-led team ran past the Blackwater Bossing, 127-109, in their Sunday evening clash at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Rizal.

Justine Baltazar had a 20-point, 10-rebound game with three steals, two blocks, and two assists to be hailed as the Best Player of the Game, while Jordan Heading provided firepower with 22 markers (3/5 3pts) with five dimes and three boards.

“We knew that we would be able to score, we have good guys, but going into this game, our focus was on defense,” said Atienza after the victory that was also powered by Cheick Diallo’s 20 points and 18 rebounds.

The FiberXers were only leading by seven after they allowed the Bossing to score 26 markers to their 33, and this was a concern that they focused on as the game progressed, explained Atienza.

“Mataas eh lalo na nung first quarter, and George King still had 34 points, so yung focus namin was to tighten up the defense. Gladly, our guys responded. Late eliminations na, so kailangan naming dumepensa. Yun ang focus namin today, and dadalin yan sa next games namin,” he said.

Converge indeed turned it up on the defensive end in the following quarters, especially in the final period, and this allowed them not only to eventually clinch their eighth victory in 11 games, but also lead by as huge as 20 points during the contest.

This put Atienza’s troops in a prime spot to enter the quarterfinals with a twice-to-bead advantage, but he emphasized that their main agenda for now is taking care of business against the San Miguel Beermen whom they will be facing on Friday.

“Sa amin naman, we will first take care of the present. Kahit din naman manalo kami dun, [hindi pa sure] kasi may bearing pa yung next games ng iba eh,” he said. “Kung papalarin na mag twice-to-beat, then we’re good, we will welcome that.”

On the other hand, Blackwater inched closer to elimination as they fell to 2-8 in the team standings.

Aside from King’s scoring outburst on top of 13 rebounds and six assists, Jaydee Tungcab was also solid with 20 markers, while Justin Chua and Christian David followed with 16 and 14, but these weren’t enough for Blackwater to follow up their previous 96-86 over TerraFirma Dyip.

The Scores:

Converge 127 – Heading 22, Baltazar 20, Diallo 20, Stockton 19, Delos Santos 10, Winston 10, Santos 8, Nieto 8, Arana 7, Racal 3, Caralipio 0, Andrade 0.

Blackwater 109 – King 34, Tungcab 20, Chua 16, David 14, Kwekuteye 10, Casio 6, Corteza 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Ayonayon 0, Jopia 0.

Quarterscores: 33-26, 70-56, 97-88, 127-109.