PBA: Converge halts skid, fends off NorthPort in Governors' Cup

Converge squandered a double-digit lead but put up a strong finishing kick to hack out a 107-99 win over NorthPort and check a three-game slide in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

The FiberXers improved to a 3-4 win-loss tally in Group A.

Alec Stockton finished with 21 points, five rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal, while Schonny Winston turned in 17 points and nine rebounds.

Bryan Santos shot five triples on his way to 15 points in a game that was marred by a commotion between Batang Pier governor Eric Arejola and Converge assistant coach Danny Ildefonso during the post-game handshake.

Arejola and Ildefonso later refused to comment on the matter as their respective squads split their elimination round meetings.

[WATCH: Converge wakes up from three-game slumber, turns back NorthPort | PBA Highlights]

After NorthPort sprung a 10-to-nothing rally to take a 92-84 lead entering the last six minutes, the FiberXers felt a sense of urgency and countered with a 17-7 run ignited by Alex Cabagnot's booming triple off a timeout.

That allowed Converge to seize the upperhand, 101-99, before Winston and Stockton putting the finishing touches.

“We’re not having very good numbers from our import, but we’re glad that our locals especially the guy beside me stepped up. But more so on the defensive end, we’re able to make stops,” said FiberXers coach Franco Atienza.

Converge reinforcement Scotty Hopson registered 12 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Meanwhile, Batang Pier counterpart Venky Jois collected 24 points and 14 rebounds as he led the team’s late uprising that went futile.

Arvin Tolentino chipped in 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists but committed a couple of costly turnovers down the stretch.

NorthPort then dropped to 3-4.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 107 – Stockton 21, Winston 17, Santos 15, Hopson 12, Racal 10, Delos Santos 9, Ambohot 6, Nieto 6, Cabagnot 5, Arana 4, Andrade 2, Vigan-Fleming 0, Fornilos 0, Caralipio 0, Zaldivar 0.

NORTHPORT 99 – Jois 24, Tolentino 21, Munzon 13, Navarro 11, Jalalon 9, Nelle 7, Cuntapay 5, Amores 4, Tratter 3, Flores 2, Yu 0, Bulanadi 0, Onwubere 0.