PBA: San Miguel escapes Converge in thriller, stays in hunt for q'final spot | ABS-CBN

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PBA: San Miguel escapes Converge in thriller, stays in hunt for q'final spot

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Jan 24, 2025 10:44 PM PHT

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SMB's Juami Tiongson. PBA Images

San Miguel bagged a much-needed win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.

The Beermen, who had Juami Tiongson shine this time around, slipped past a gritty Converge group, 116-113, in a thriller which certainly delighted hoops fans on Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

This triumph helped the Leo Austria-coached squad keep its campaign for a quarterfinal spot, as it secured the eighth spot in the standings — for now.

In a match which wasn't decided up until the buzzer sounded, it saw the FiberXers come back from a gargantuan 19-point deficit in the fourth frame 100-81.

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A flagrant foul on eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo at the 8:30 mark, 104-86, changed the winds as the star center of the Beermen was sidelined for five minutes.

The FiberXers slowly trimmed that separation down — a clutch hit by Jordan Heading from the extended arc and a Cheick Diallo basket later on put themselves into one, 114-113.

Crucial misses from SMB's Fajardo and Cjay Perez on the 15-foot-line retained the opposing side in the match, but Converge's Alec Stockton — in an attempt where he faked Marcio Lassiter, his defender, and got the space he needed for a clean shot — overcooked a three which could have sent the game into an extended period.

FiberXers forward Bryan Santos also had a chance to steal the game with a four-point attempt before the regulation ended, to no avail as he was well-guarded by his opponent.

Tiongson headlined the Beermen offense, listing 22 points and four rebounds, while import Malik Pope delivered same amount for the scoring department while collecting 14 rebounds.

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The efficient 6-foot-11 Fajardo registered a double-double of 19-14 stat line anchored on 8-of-13 clip, while Don Trollano, Perez, and Marcio Lassiter were also in twin-digit territory, tallying 17, 11, and 10, respectively.

Diallo, the reinforcement of Converge, paced his team with 28 markers and 11 boards in the heartbreak, while Heading concluded the ballgame with 25.


The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 116 – Pope 22, Tiongson 22, Fajardo 19, Trollano 17, Perez 11, Lassiter 10, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 6, Cahilig 3, Ross 0

CONVERGE 113 – Diallo 28, Heading 25, Stockton 19, Baltazar 13, Racal 8, Andrade 6, Winston 5, Delos Santos 4, Santos 3, Javillonar 2, Cabagnot 0, Ambohot 0

QUARTERS: 29-16, 65-48, 99-81, 116-113

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