PBA: Converge upsets playoffs-chasing TNT
Converge FiberXers’ Patrick Maagdenberg in the PBA Philippine Cup game against TNT. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Bottom team Converge put a dent on TNT’s bid to enter the quarterfinals after hanging on for a 107-103 win in the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Playing with nothing but pride, the FiberXers got inspiring performances from Aljun Melecio and rookie big man Patrick Maagdenberg to stun a Tropang Giga side that entered the game needing just a win to barge into the next phase of the all-Filipino tournament.
Converge ended the campaign at 2-9, winning two of the last three after dropping seven straight to open the conference.
READ: TNT remains wary amid tight playoff race despite latest win
Melecio came off the bench to score 17 points on four triples while Maagdenberg put up 12 points, but was mostly efficient with his contributions outside of the statsheet.
Justin Arana and rookie Bryan Santos produced 15 points each for the FiberXers.
WATCH: Converge’s Pat Maagdenberg and coach Aldin Ayo after winning over TNT. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/ZW5t8Ps4ix
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 1, 2024
Calvin Oftana hit 33 points and RR Pogoy had 29 but TNT fell to 5-5, needing to beat Magnolia on Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium to clinch a quarters spot.
A loss, however, may relegate the Tropang Giga to a playoff for the No. 8 spot, depending on how the tiebreaker scenarios pan out.
Converge led by 14 in the fourth before scuttling TNT’s comeback try late in the contest.
TNT pulled within three, 102-99, on two free throws from Glenn Khobuntin, but Deshaun Winston hit a jumper from the foul line to extend Converge’s margin to five.
PBA scores:
CONVERGE 107—Melecio 17, Arana 15, Santos 15, Winston 13, Maagdenberg 12, Fornilos 8, Delos Santos 7, Stockton 4, Andrade, Nieto 0.
TNT 103—Oftana 33, Pogoy 29, Aurin 13, Khobuntin 11, Ponferrada 7, Castro 4, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Ebona 2, Varilla 2, Reyes 0, Montalbo 0.
Quarters: 31-31, 57-52, 83-77, 107-103.
