Christmas Clasico ends in a thriller buzzer-beater
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Converge gets fourth straight win on Christmas Day
The Converge FiberXers tallied their fourth straight victory after defeating the Meralco Bolts, 110-94, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, December 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jordan Heading led Converge with his 30 points, five rebounds, and eight assists to notch their fourth straight win in the conference and improve their record to 6-2.
“I try to approach this game like I approach every game, which is part of being a professional: You have a routine and you try to stick to your routine every single game. Obviously, there’s a little excitement but I’m used to it for as long as I can remember,” said Heading.
The FiberXers even erected a 20-point margin, 94-74, with less than eight minutes left in the game, but the Bolts trimmed the lead to 102-88 with 2:57 left on the clock.
However, Converge never looked back and secured the win with consecutive baskets from import Cheick Diallo, and big man Justin Arana.
Photo Courtesy: PBA
“I try to approach this game like I approach every game, which is part of being a professional: You have a routine and you try to stick to your routine every single game. Obviously, there’s a little excitement but I’m used to it for as long as I can remember,” said Heading.
“This is a championship-caliber team and they are plagued with injuries,” said FiberXers head coach Franco Atienza after the game. “Maybe we were lucky they were not in their best form, although they really competed now.”
“We were just lucky that we got Meralco when they were not super 100 percent. Not taking anything away from them, but we believe they are a far better team,” he concluded.
Diallo added 24 markers and 18 boards to help the FiberXers get another victory, while top draft pick Justine Baltazar netted his season high, delivering 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
On the other hand, Meralco's reinforcement Akil Mitchell, who had just returned from his injury, tallied 29 markers and 18 boards.
Bong Quinto and Cliff Hodge led the locals with 23 and 10, respectively, while Chris Newsome was limited to nine points and five rebounds.
It will be a long break for Converge as they will not be seeing action until January 11 when they face the TNT Tropang Giga, while Meralco will try to bounce back against Hong Kong Eastern on the first playing date of 2025 on January 5 at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 110 – Heading 30, Diallo 24, Baltazar 16, Winston 11, Stockton 10, Arana 7, Andrada 5, Racal 3, Delos Santos 2, Santos 2, Fornillos 0, Nieto 0, Ambohot 0, Caralipio 0, Javillonar 0.
MERALCO 94 – Mitchell 29, Quinto 23, Hodge 10, Newsome 9, Banchero 6, Maliksi 5, Reyson 3, Pascual 3, Black 2, Rios 2, Caram 2, Torres 0.
Quarter Scores: 26-20, 58-41, 85-66, 110-94.
