The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continued at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with another double-header that featured the reigning PBA Governors’ Cup champion and a budding contender. Here is a recap of the action:
Converge Denies Phoenix as Jordan Heading Stars Again
Down 20-2 early, the Converge FiberXers slowly but surely began finding a rhythm. Then, by the third, the FiberXers had started gaining control en route to a 116-105 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Converge took control starting in the third when they scored a whopping 39 points to Phoenix’s 26 to gain an 87-80 advantage heading to the final canto. The FiberXers added 29 more points to their second-half total to cruise to their fourth win in six games and second in a row. The Fuel Masters dropped to 1-5.
Jordan Heading was once again splendid for Converge, finishing with 21 points, 6 assists, and 5 steals. Import Cheick Diallo added 21 points and 16 boards, while Schonny Winston and Bryan Santos chipped in 16 apiece. Prized rookie Justine Baltazar had 6 points and 13 boards—including 9 on the offensive glass. Donovan Smith paced the Fuel Masters with 30 points and 20 boards. RJ Jazul added 20.
Up next:
Converge vs. Meralco Bolts on December 25 (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
Phoenix vs. Terrafirma Dyip on January 7 (PhilSports Arena)
The Scores:
- Converge (116) – Heading 21, Diallo 21, Winston 16, Santos 16, Stockton 14, Andrade 11, Arana 6, Baltazar 6, Racal 5
- Phoenix (105) – Smith 30, Jazul 20, Tio 13, Perkins 12, Rivero 11, Tuffin 8, Verano 4, Garcia 3, Soyud 2, Manganti 2
TNT Stops Blackwater in Jayson Castro’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup Debut
The TNT Tropang Giga welcomed back PBA Governors’ Cup Finals MVP Jayson Castro with a win, topping the Blackwater Bossing, 109-93, to improve to 2-2 after two straight losses to start the tourney.
Castro finished with 16 points on 5-for-6 shooting for the Tropa, who was in full control for pretty much the entire game. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had another rousing all-around game of 22 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, while Rey Nambatac and Calvin Oftana added 19 and 18, respectively.
George King had 29 points and 9 boards for the Bossing, who were without 2024 PBA Draft top pick Sedrick Barefield. RJ Ilagan chipped in 19 points highlighted by a troika of three-pointers in the fourth.
Up next:
TNT vs. Meralco Bolts on January 7 (PhilSports Arena)
Blackwater vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on January 8 (PhilSports Arena)
The Scores:
- TNT (109) – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 19, Oftana 18, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 10, Galinato 6, Erram 4, Razon 2
- Blackwater (93) – King 28, Ilagan 19, Chua 9, Kwekuteye 9, David 8, Suerte 5, Escoto 4, Ponferada 3, Montalbo 2, Casio 2, Corteza 2, Guinto 1, Ayonayon 1
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Continues
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup is down to its last four play dates starting later at the PhilSports Arena, where early leaders Hong Kong Eastern and NorthPort Batang Pier tussle for solo first. In the nightcap, the NLEX Road Warriors and Magnolia Hotshots will try to bounce back from losses.
