PBA: Alec Stockton takes charge late as Converge bests Meralco to improve playoff chances

Alec Stockton took over in the final three minutes and the Converge FiberXers hung tough for a pulsating 105-97 win over the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, September 18.

Stockton fired a conference-high 27 points, including nine of the last 11 points for the FiberXers, who scored a third straight win to improve their playoff chances with a 5-4 record.

The former FEU gunner also had 11 rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Jalen Jones, who replaced injured import Scotty Hopson, impressed with 32 points, including the two-handed throwdown with six ticks left to play for good measure. In his PBA debut, Jones also got 10 rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Schonny Winston added 12 points and six rebounds for the FiberXers, who led by as many as 15 points in the third period before the Bolts made it a ball game anew entering the final quarter.

“If given a choice whether to play a blowout game on our favor or a close game, we would choose the close game cause that will build character,” said  Converge coach Franco Atienza.

After CJ Cansino munched on three free throws to snatch the 97-96 lead with 1:58 left to play, Stockton responded right away with a stepback triple over the Meralco rookie, 99-97.

While Cansino went gun-shy, missing his next two shots and a technical free throw, Stockton scored four more after that to give Converge a comfortable 103-97 lead with only 36.6 to go.

Attempts from the four-point line from Chris Banchero and Allen Durham both sailed off and the Bolts absorbed a third loss in nine games.

Durham paced Meralco with 25 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while Casino registered a conference-high 21 points.

Before fouling out with two minutes and 41 seconds remaining, Chris Newsome had 14 points and 11 boards.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 105 – Jones 32, Stockton 27, Arana 12, Winston 8, Caralipio 8, Delos Santos 7, Santos 6, Ambohot 3, Nieto 2, Melecio 0, Andrade 0, Vigan-Fleming 0, Fornilos 0.

MERALCO 97 – Durham 25, Cansino 21, Newsome 14, Quinto 12, Banchero 10, Caram 6, Hodge 5, Bates 2, Almazan 2, Jose 0, Mendoza 0, Rios 0.