FiberXers roar on with fiery shooting  

MANILA, Philippines — Quincy Miller and Converge rained treys on TNT to set the tone to a streak-extending 130-117 triumph yesterday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Making nine from deep, Miller anchored a scorching 21 total three-pointers for the on-target FiberXers, who led by as many as 35 points en route to their third straight win and 4-2 overall.

Miller finished with 38 markers highlighted by a 64.3-percent marksmanship from beyond the arc plus 20 rebounds. He was joined in the three-point party by Jeron Teng (four), Aljun Melecio (three), Mike DiGregorio (two), Maverick Ahanmisi (one), RK Ilagan (one) and Alec Stockton (one).

Converge’s long bombs tied the seventh all-time in a game and emerged as the most since Phoenix shot 22 in its 110-103 win over San Miguel Beer last November 2020 in the Philippine Cup bubble.

“They deserve it,” coach Aldin Ayo said of the FiberXers’ torrid 52.5 percent clip from afar.

“During our practices, the players just keep on shooting. Hindi naman basta-basta mangyayari ito; it’s all about preparations. On their own, sila nag-setup ng shooting gun sa facility namin and it’s a big help to the players para makatira sila nang makatira. It’s all about repetition really,” he added.

Teng finished with 22 to go with eight boards while Melecio shot a career-high 20 and Justin Arana had 14 points and 10 boards.

Cam Oliver banged in 41 while Mikey Williams produced 27 in a losing cause for the Tropang Giga, who fell to 3-3.

“We got our ass kicked. Converge shot very well – 21 three-point shots – and we can’t win games if we allow our opponents to shoot the threes. Their three-point shooting plus their second-chance points (17) were the difference,” said TNT mentor Chot Reyes.

“Our offense wasn’t bad, we scored 117, shot 50 percent and we had only 10 turnovers. But our defense, really, left a lot to be desired,” he added.

The FiberXers knocked down eight three-point baskets in the first quarter as they raced to a 43-24 upperhand.

Barangay Ginebra later joined Converge at third spot after clobbering skidding Terrafirma, 111-90, for a 4-2 card. The Dyip slipped to 0-7, their running dry spell extending to a 23rd straight game.

Justin Brownlee submitted a 23-point, 11-rebound, 11-assist triple-double as the Gin Kings followed up their 103-97 disposal of erstwhile unbeaten Magnolia.

Maintaining their hot shooting, Ayo’s charges widened the gap to a high 91-56 then leaned on timely hits from Miller and Teng to get out of trouble when TNT mounted a furious rally in the fourth.

“We have the tendency to divert from our game plan everytime we have a big lead. Yun ang nagiging problema, nagre-relax sa defense. We have to address this,” noted Ayo.

Converge took solo third as of presstime while sending TNT down to a triple tie for sixth.