FiberXers Escape With Narrow Win, Improve to 7-4
Converge FiberXers closed out their PBA Philippine Cup elimination round on a high note, narrowly escaping the mighty San Miguel Beermen, 100-97, in a thrilling encounter Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The win boosted Converge’s record to 7-4 and kept their playoff hopes firmly intact, possibly avoiding a dreaded early quarterfinal matchup with the Beermen.
Schonny Winston led the way with a game-high 25 points, including clutch baskets that helped halt a fierce San Miguel comeback. Converge had earlier built a commanding 18-point lead but struggled to hold on as the Beermen clawed back and even took a brief 93-89 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Winston and Arana Lead the Charge
Winston’s composure in the final stretch proved pivotal, especially as Converge faced mounting pressure. His ability to create offense and finish key plays gave the FiberXers the edge they needed in crunch time. Big man Justin Arana also delivered a strong performance, going toe-to-toe with six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and finishing with 21 points.
Arana’s effort in the paint and Winston’s late-game heroics gave the FiberXers a much-needed win and solidified their position among the playoff contenders. Their back-to-back victories to end the eliminations ensured at least a sixth seed finish, depending on the results of the remaining games.
Beermen’s Comeback Falls Short
Despite being down by 18 points earlier, San Miguel nearly stole the game in the fourth quarter with a massive run that saw them overtake Converge briefly at 93-89. The Beermen displayed their usual championship grit, led by their core of veterans and star scorer CJ Perez.
However, the rally ultimately fell short as Converge regained composure in the final minutes. Perez had one last chance to send the game to overtime but missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the dying seconds.
Playoff Picture Becomes More Unpredictable
The result, combined with NLEX’s earlier loss to NorthPort, shook up the standings and turned the battle for the top four into a crowded race. With San Miguel now at 7-3, they are tied with Magnolia and Barangay Ginebra for second to fourth places. Converge is just behind at 7-4, while TNT and Rain or Shine are lurking at 6-4.
Although San Miguel’s fate remains in their hands, they must now win their final elimination game against NorthPort on Sunday to keep their hopes alive for the No. 1 seed. A win would push them to 8-3, tying NLEX, and potentially giving them a favorable seeding depending on tiebreaker scenarios.
Key Stats and Takeaways
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Converge: Schonny Winston (25 points), Justin Arana (21 points)
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San Miguel: Narrow loss despite comeback from 18 points down
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Standings Impact: Converge finishes 7-4, assured of at least sixth place; San Miguel now in a multi-team logjam at 7-3
This game marked one of the most dramatic finishes in the Philippine Cup so far, with Converge showcasing resilience and San Miguel proving once again they’re never out of any contest. For fans, the final days of the eliminations promise even more excitement as top-seed placements and playoff matchups hang in the balance.