Converge’s import curse is officially broken — and so is its four-game losing streak.

Cameron Clark exploded for 22 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots to lead the FiberXers to a commanding 120-103 win over Terrafirma on Tuesday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The victory finally gave the team the reinforcement it had been searching for all conference.

Clark’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Seals the Deal

Clark, Converge’s second replacement import of the conference, saved his best for last. He poured in 10 of his 22 points in the fourth period alone, and his two clutch triples ignited a decisive 27-14 run that pushed the FiberXers to a commanding 118-95 cushion, snuffing out any hopes of a Terrafirma comeback.

“Nakita naman natin nu’ng… humahabol sila ang laki ng contribution po nu’ng import,” (“We saw that when they were catching up, that’s when the import’s contribution really showed”) said winning coach Delta Pineda, crediting Clark for stepping up when it mattered most.

The victory pulled Converge to an even 4-4 record while dropping Terrafirma to 3-5. Justin Arana backed Clark with 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Calvin Abueva notched his second straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Juan Gomez de Liano and Frederick Tungcab each added 13 points, with Tungcab sparking the FiberXers’ early breakaway.

Team Meeting Sparks the Turnaround

Converge’s win snapped a painful four-game skid that had piled pressure on the FiberXers heading into the matchup against fellow strugglers Terrafirma.

“Right now po kailangang kailangan namin itong panalo against Terra kasi sila po ang ka-tie namin. Still, masyado na hong malalim ‘yung apat na talo, kailangan ng mag-bounce back,” (“Right now we really needed this win against Terra since they were tied with us. Still, our four losses were too deep, we needed to bounce back”) Pineda said.

The coach revealed a players-only sitdown last Friday helped clear the air and refocus the team’s priorities.

“Nag-usap naman kami ng mga bata, na kailangan naming mag-regroup, mag-refocus. ‘Yung mga missing namin, especially on defense, kailangan naming ma-recover. Kaya last Friday we had a good meeting, one-on-one with the boys,” (“We talked with the players, that we needed to regroup and refocus. What we were missing, especially on defense, we needed to recover. So last Friday we had a good meeting, one-on-one with the boys”) Pineda explained.

Converge had built its lead to as much as 85-56 before Terrafirma clawed back to within 10, 81-91, early in the fourth period, before Clark and company slammed the door shut.

Justin Strings led Terrafirma with 28 points despite a rough shooting night of 13-of-31 from the field, managing just nine points in the first half against Converge’s stifling interior defense. Juami Tiongson chipped in 21 points, while Geo Chiu recorded a double-double of his own with 16 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.

The Dyip’s night was further complicated by injuries to JM Bravo, who sat out the final 6:38 of the second period with an apparent right shoulder injury before aggravating his left ankle early in the third period, forcing him out of the game for good.

Converge now turns its attention to Group A leader NLEX on Friday, looking to build on the momentum from its statement win.