Meralco leaned on the scoring punch of Javee Mocon and Chris Banchero to power past a short-handed Converge squad, 96-89, in the PBA On Tour at Santiago Sports Arena in Santiago City, Isabela, on Sunday night, September 13.

The Bolts pulled off the win without import Jordan Varnado and starters Chris Newsome and Brandon Bates, leaning on their supporting cast to close out a tight, back-and-forth contest against the FiberXers.

Mocon, Banchero Take Over Late

Mocon ignited the decisive stretch with a triple that sparked a 19-8 run in the final five minutes, flipping a 75-77 deficit into command of the game. Banchero followed with a four-point play of his own to help seal it.

By the time the scoring spree was over, Meralco had turned a two-point hole into a commanding 94-85 lead with less than two minutes remaining. Converge never found an answer down the stretch.

Mocon finished with 20 points, just behind team-high scorer CJ Cansino’s 21. Banchero chipped in 18 as part of the fourth-quarter surge that put the game away for the Bolts.

Converge Fights Hard but Falls Short

Jonnel Policarpio led Converge with 15 points in the tune-up contest, which saw the FiberXers opt to play import Cameron Clark instead of resting him. Mikey Williams also finished with 10 points off the bench.

Calvin Abueva and Juan Gomez De Liano rounded out Converge’s scoring effort. Gomez De Liano’s four-point play early in the third quarter sparked a 12-0 run that gave the FiberXers a 58-51 lead to open the second half.

Banchero later tied the game at 75 with another three-pointer, but John Lloyd Clemente answered right back to give Converge a brief 77-75 edge before Meralco’s closing run took over.

Converge was also without Gilas Pilipinas big men Justin Arana and Justin Baltazar, who are currently competing in Nagoya, Japan, for the 20th Asian Games. Deputy coach Franco Atienza ran the bench in place of head coach Delta Pineda.

Santiago City Mayor Alyssa Sheena Tan-Dy led the ceremonial ball toss before the game got underway.