The matchup between the Converge FiberXers and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was highly anticipated as both teams are mostly seen as contenders in this PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup. And they delivered the goods, battling it out until Converge pulled out a 106-96 victory in a game that had furious momentum shifts, brilliant playmaking, and even some end-of-game drama.
It also had a playoff-like feel, which you’d expect when two great teams meet—especially with one of those teams being Ginebra, arguably the league’s most popular team. Converge’s Juan Gomez de Liaño certainly felt it, so much so that a return engagement in the playoffs is something he’s hoping for, apparently.
“It’s definitely a different atmosphere,” Gomez de Liaño acknowledged after the game when reporters asked about his experience playing Ginebra for the first time. “It’s my first time playing against them. Kita palang sa crowd. Their fanbase is amazing. It makes the game a lot more intense. Hopefully we get to see them in the playoffs.”
After that slugfest of a showdown, fans might want the same, too.
Converge 1, Ginebra 0 as Juan Gomez de Liaño Takes Over
Until that rematch happens, Converge has some sort of bragging rights after beating Ginebra on Friday. And that’s mostly thanks to Gomez de Liaño, who torched the crowd darlings for a career-best 32 points, including 19 in the first half alone and 10 in the fourth quarter. He also had 6 rebounds and 6 assists in yet another spellbinding performance this conference for the rookie.
“Just making the right plays, trying to help my team win in whatever way I can…,” he said of his career night.
If Gomez de Liaño keeps making the right plays—and he probably will make more of them from all indications—then the FiberXers will likely secure a spot in the playoffs. Ginebra, on the other hand, will have to get their act together just to make it there.
