Converge transformed a shaky opening half into a commanding victory, toppling Magnolia 114-97 on Friday, December 5, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The FiberXers used a blistering second-half surge to clinch a quarterfinal berth in the PBA Philippine Cup, highlighted by a 27-point performance from Juan Gomez de Liano.

Alec Stockton added 23 points while Justine Baltazar delivered 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead Converge’s balanced push. Justin Arana finished with only five points before leaving late with an ankle issue, but the FiberXers’ depth powered them through. Now holding a 6-2 record, they join NLEX and Rain or Shine among the early qualifiers for the playoffs.

Converge remains in the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage with games against Rain or Shine, Meralco and NLEX still ahead.

Pineda credits adjustments for flipping the momentum

Coach Dennis Pineda pointed to his players’ composure as the turning point after Magnolia controlled much of the first half. Converge trailed by as many as 13 and struggled to break the Hotshots’ interior pressure, but halftime adjustments allowed them to regain their footing.

He emphasized quicker ball movement and sharper reads once Magnolia focused heavily on defending the paint. This opened opportunities along the perimeter, where the FiberXers gradually found their rhythm and punished the zone defense.

The payoff became clear in the third quarter as Converge knocked down timely outside shots, including 10 triples for the game. A four-point play from Gomez de Liano triggered a crucial 15-5 run, giving the FiberXers a comfortable margin entering the final minutes.

Magnolia loses steam as Converge takes full control

Magnolia leaned on Zav Lucero, who erupted for a career-high 31 points and nine rebounds to keep the Hotshots afloat early. Jerom Lastimosa added 13 points, while Mark Barroca and Javi Gomez de Liano finished with 10 each in supporting roles.

However, the Hotshots’ early pace faded as Converge tightened its defense and controlled the boards. The FiberXers maintained pressure throughout the fourth quarter, turning stops into scoring opportunities to put the game out of reach.

Magnolia’s inability to slow the tempo allowed Converge to dictate the closing stretch, sealing the Hotshots’ drop to a 5-3 record as the FiberXers continued their rise in the standings.