BLOWING away a 17-point spread then falling behind by five, Converge displayed a tough character with its recovery and eventual escape versus a giant assignment in San Miguel Beer.
Quincy Miller and Aljun Melecio anchored the FiberXers' wondrous effort leading to a 106-102 upset of the Beermen in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena Friday night.
Miller, imposing himself as a tremendous inside presence, missed by just one block a triple-double job while Melecio came through with a career-high 18 markers that went with seven assists as Converge jumped to joint third place with NLEX at 3-2.
Also drawing solid support from Maverick Ahanmisi, Jeron Teng and the returning Mike Digregorio, the FiberXers stood their ground against the Beermen and denied them a victorious first outing with new import Devon Scott.
From a 106-99 victory over Meralco the last time out, the FiberXers roared to a second straight win witnessed by a cheering crowd led by team owner Dennis Uy.
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The amiable Converge top boss was pumping his fist in the air as the FiberXers completed the reversal against the SMB team missing main man June Mar Fajardo.
Scott, the new SMB import taking over from Diamond Stone, came up with 16 points and 15 rebounds with CJ Perez and Moala Tautua taking the lead part offensively with 29 and 23 markers, respectively.
The Beermen clawed back from 59-48 down at the half and even surged ahead at 100-95 in the fourth, but scored just a single field goal basket in the last 4:36 of play.
The FiberXers outplayed and outscored the Beermen, 11-2, in the crunch, and thus handed San Miguel a third loss in four starts.
Coach Aldin Ayo and his troops pulled through even with Miller picking up a fourth foul just in the third period.
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Miller was able to protect and pace himself well, and led the FiberXers through with 24 points, 16 rebounds and whopping nine blocks.
Ayo was elated with their win but expressed concern on Miller chasing the blocks and messing up their overall scheme of things.
"He played well. Pero concern ko yung blocks niya, it's not part of our system," said Ayo. (SB)
