DAVID Murrell, Converge's pre-season trade acquisition from NLEX, tormented his former team and powered the FiberXers to a crucial 112-108 victory in Thursday's PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Murrell scattered 21 points on a 10-of-14 field goal shooting against his old squad, his energy and motivation rubbing off on fellow young guns Tyrus Hill, Taylor Browne, Justin Arana and RK Ilagan as Converge arrested a two-game slide and fanned its playoffs chances.
At 3-5, Jeff Cariaso's troops moved up to solo eighth, putting themselves in good position to vie for a quarterfinal stint in their PBA debut with three games remaining against NorthPort, Phoenix and Blackwater.
"What's really impressive with the guys tonight was being able to bounce back from two tough losses," said Cariaso, referring to their lopsided defeats to San Miguel and Ginebra last time.
"The way we're looking at it, this is the last stretch of the eliminations and at this point, regardless of our record, we still control our destiny. The guys came out focused and I want to attribute that to the focus and energy they brought to practice. It carried over to this game," he added.
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Taylor Browne (15, all from beyond the arc) and RK Ilagan (10 assists and three points) and rookies Tyrus Hill (18) and Justin Arana (11, all in the fourth) also stepped up big-time.
Murrell notched nine in the first quarter as he led Converge to an early 19-11 tear. That was the momentum the FiberXers needed to stay in control of the game, leading, 43-31 in the second, before breaking away to 98-82 with a 21-6 salvo to start the fourth.
Former UP Maroon Murrell refused to call his brilliant showing a "revenge game."
"Won't say it was revenge but for sure, extra motivated. I felt like just locked-in from the start, even during warmups," he said.
The FiberXers sent the Road Warriors reeling to their second straight loss and down to seventh place at 4-4.
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Along the way, they lay to waste the 29-point explosion of Kris Rosales for NLEX. (OL)
The Scores:
Converge 112 - Murrell 21, Hill 18, Browne 15, Arana 11, Ahanmisi 10, Adamos 9, Tratter 8, Ambohot 7, Bulanadi 4, DiGregorio 3, Racal 3, Ilagan 3, Tolomia 0, Stockton 0.
NLEX 108 - Rosales 29, Alas 23, Trollano 18, Chua 15, Oftana 12, Quinahan 4,Paniamogan 3, Fonacier 2, Magat 2, Semerad 0, Soyud 0, Ighalo 0.
Quarters: 19-15, 46-38, 77-76, 112-108
