Converge snapped a two-game slump and revived its bid for a Top Four finish in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 107-95 overtime win over NLEX at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Wednesday, Dec. 17. The FiberXers dominated extra time, outscoring NLEX 17-5 to secure a crucial victory.

Justine Baltazar had a career-best 25 points and 24 rebounds, while Juan Gomez de Liaño posted a triple-double with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. The win lifted Converge to a 7-4 record, positioning them behind Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beermen, both holding 8-2 marks.

Overtime heroics carry Converge

The game went into overtime after a buzzer-beating four-ball from Jonel Policarpio tied the match at the end of regulation. Converge opened extra time with an 8-0 run led by Justin Arana, MJ Garcia, and Gomez de Liaño, leaving NLEX unable to respond.

NLEX, missing Robert Bolick due to national team duty in the SEA Games, controlled much of the regulation game but faltered in the clutch, falling to 6-5.

“Ang hirap talagang lumamang sa NLEX, ayaw nilang magpatalo,” Baltazar said. “Pero mabuti na hindi naman kami bumitaw hanggang dulo.”

Top Four race remains tight

The Top Four race is still unsettled, with TNT at 6-3 and Meralco, Magnolia, and Barangay Ginebra still in contention. Converge will have to wait for the remaining games to finalize its seeding.

Converge now sits in third, behind Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beermen, with momentum on their side after a critical overtime surge.