The PBA Commissioner’s Cup resumed on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium after its customary Monday break. Here is a recap of the double-header that went down:
Converge Fends off NLEX Behind Cheick Diallo’s Big Double-Double
Cheick Diallo stood tall on Tuesday, scoring 37 points and grabbing 18 rebounds to help the Converge FiberXers to a 102-91 triumph over the NLEX Road Warriors.
The FiberXers (3-2) got off to a rousing start, building a 30-18 lead early in the second quarter behind the efforts of Diallo, Schonny Winston, and Jordan Heading. NLEX (3-3) closed the gap in the third, but Diallo and Heading, along with Alec Stockton, put the finishing touches in the fourth.
Heading 14 points and 11 assists, while Stockton had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Mike Watkins submitted his own monster double-double of 36 points and 23 boards for NLEX. Robert Bolick added 26 points and 6 dimes.
Up next:
NLEX vs. Magnolia Hotshots on December 20 (PhilSports Arena)
Converge vs. Phoenix Fuel Masters on December 19 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
The Scores:
- Converge (102) – Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3
- NLEX (91) – Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2
Phoenix Stops NorthPort for First Win
The Phoenix Fuel Masters finally entered the win column, stopping the streaking NorthPort Batang Pier, 115-109 behind import Donovan Smith and Jason Perkins.
Phoenix (1-4) again raced off to a great start against the Batang Pier (5-1), ending the first quarter ahead, 29-21. It built the lead to as much as 14 points in the second quarter with Smith and Perkins doing damage. But, unlike in previous outings, the Fuel Masters did not collapse in the fourth and instead fought off every NorthPort rally.
Smith finished with 32 points and 14 rebounds, while Perkins added 24 points and 3 steals. Ken Tuffin chipped in 15 points and 7 boards. Kadeem Jack led NorthPort with 28 points and 16 rebounds, followed by Arvin Tolentino’s 23 points and 6 boards.
Up next:
Phoenix vs. Converge on December 19 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
NorthPort vs. Hong Kong Eastern on December 20 (PhilSports Arena)
The Scores:
- Phoenix (115) – Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2
- Northport (109) – Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Continues
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup continues at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium later today with a pair of games that will see the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters take on the Magnolia Hotshots in the curtain-raiser. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will go up against the Terrafirma Dyip in the main game.
