Converge gets out of hole vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — Converge showcased its own version of the never-say-die spirit to steal one from Barangay Ginebra on the road.

With Alex Stockton and Deschon Winston spearheading a relentless second-half assault, the FiberXers rallied past the Gin Kings, 98-91, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Batangas City Coliseum.

After Ginebra buried Converge in a 17-point hole, Stockton switched to full automatic mode in the restart and dropped 16 big markers as he sparked a major turnaround that led to a 73-70 upper hand.

Winston picked up from there, firing the first seven points of the fourth period to spark a fresh 16-8 bomb that extended Converge’s margin to 89-78.

Cheick Diallo, Jordan Heading and Justin Arana joined the mop-up in the final 5:40 to help the FiberXers complete the spectacular comeback en route to their third straight victory.

The FiberXers hiked their record to 5-2 and joined idle Eastern at joint fourth. At 3-2, the Gin Kings dropped to fifth from second.

Stockton earned Best Player honors as he finished with 22 markers, six rebounds and eight assists.

Meanwhile, defending champion San Miguel Beer takes a shot at payback on home ground against guest team Hong Kong Eastern with a new import as they clash today.

Jabari Narcis, a 6-foot-9 center who played college ball at the University of Texas at Arlington, was tapped ahead of SMB’s 7:30 p.m. revenge mission against Eastern at the PhilSports Arena.

Narcis, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, took over from Torren Jones and came in the Beermen’s third reinforcement in the mid-season conference. Before Jones, Quincy Miller served import duties.

Jones sustained a bloodied nose after receiving an elbow from Chris McLaughlin in the Beermen’s 62-71 defeat to Eastern last Wednesday in the East Asia Super League eliminations, leading to Narcis stepping in.