Converge beats Rain or Shine to move within one win of first PBA semi-final
Juan Gomez de Liaño contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as the FiberXers took a 2-1 quarter-final series lead.
Converge defeated Rain or Shine 105-98 in Cavite on November 3 to take a 2-1 advantage in their PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarter-final series. Another victory would secure the franchise's first semi-final appearance since it entered the league four years ago.
Juan Gomez de Liaño finished with 19 points, adding 13 rebounds and six assists. Cameron Clark supplied 18 points alongside five rebounds and five assists, while Justine Baltazar scored 15. Jonnel Policarpio and Calvin Abueva contributed 13 apiece.
Clark made successive jump shots in the fourth quarter to push Converge's lead to 94-79 midway through the period. Gomez de Liaño later connected from three-point range and then hit a four-pointer, extending the advantage to 105-86 with 1:49 remaining.
The FiberXers outscored Rain or Shine 23-14 in the final quarter, holding their opponents to 5-of-20 shooting. Converge head coach Delta Pineda said his team had sought to slow the third-quarter tempo rather than match Rain or Shine's pace, while controlling its offence and focusing on defence.
