CONVERGE gave coach Aldin Ayo a nice birthday present - a character-defining bounceback win over tough Meralco.
With Maverick Ahanmisi providing the endgame bombing, the FiberXers zapped the Bolts, 106-99, to snap a two-game skid in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ahanmisi fired 12 spiked by three booming triples in the windup to enable Ayo's troops to pull through despite squandering a 22-point lead and going on a worrisome spell early in the fourth.
One of the veterans of the youth-laden squad, Ahanmisi finished with 21 in a nice backup to Quincy Miller, who topscored with 29, including a clutch three-point play and two free throws in Converge's decisive 10-2 closeout.
Allyn Bulanadi (12), Jeron Teng (11) and RK Ilagan (10) also played solidly and helped the FiberXers seize control early and enjoy a high 57-35 tear.
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With this big victory, Converge (2-2) made it a truly happy day for Ayo, who turned 45 Saturday.
"It feels good especially coming from two consecutive losses and with the way we showed character. We lost a 22-point lead but we're able to recover," said Ayo.
The FiberXers faced the danger of letting this one slip away again as the Johnny O'Bryant-led Bolts chipped away their lead and even surged ahead at 93-90 after an 11-0 blast early in the fourth.
To rescue was Ahanmisi, who knocked down back-to-back treys to anchor the searing closing barrage that sealed the deal for Ayo.
O'Bryant scattered 27 but was held scoreless in the final four minutes as Meralco dropped to 1-3. (OL)
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The Scores:
Converge 106 - Miller 29, Ahanmisi 21, Bulanadi 12, Teng 11, Ilagan 10, Tratter 9, Melecio 8, Stockton 4, Racal 2, Ambohot 0.
Meralco 99 - O'Bryant 27, Black 18, Maliksi 14, Caram 14, Quinto 12, Hodge 10, Pasaol 4, Johnson 0, Almazan 0, Jose 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 35-26, 68-48, 87-82, 106-99.
