The Converge FiberXers leaned on a monster second half from Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston to outlast the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 107-97, in a high-octane showdown at the PhilSports Arena in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup.

After trailing at halftime, Stockton and Winston combined for 34 second-half points, erasing an early deficit and steering Converge to a third straight victory, improving their record to 5-2.

Both Stockton and Winston finished with 24 points, while big men Justin Arana (18 points, 17 rebounds) and Justine Baltazar (13 points, 22 boards) dominated the paint in a physical battle that saw Converge outrebound Rain or Shine by a commanding 62-40 margin.

“We knew Rain or Shine was the top-scoring team in the league and played at an incredible pace,” said Converge head coach Franco Atienza. “But the guys stayed composed and stuck to the game plan — we slowed the game down and won it with defense.”

Rain or Shine, averaging 112 points entering the contest and fresh off a 128-point explosion, was held under 100 points for the first time in the conference.

Despite the loss, Leonard Santillan delivered a game-high 26 points, while Gian Mamuyac added 25 for the Elasto Painters, who dropped to an even 2-2 record. Santillan, however, was limited to just 10 points after the first quarter.

Rain or Shine briefly took a 71-68 lead midway through the third period, but Converge answered with a decisive 20-7 run ignited by Stockton’s perimeter shooting and Winston’s explosive drives, turning the tide permanently.

Newly returned Kieth Datu posted 11 points and 10 rebounds in his first extended action of the conference, but the absences of Beau Belga (vertigo) and Caelan Tiongson (back spasms) proved costly in the rebounding and interior scoring battles, where Converge had a 56-38 advantage in points in the paint.

Rain or Shine never got closer than six points in the final frame.