Fiberxers enhance chances

MANILA, Philippines — In a duel of teams on opposite sides of the ladder, it’s the squad battling for a playoffs incentive that prevailed against one fighting for a spot in the Last-8.

Living up to its billing, second-running Converge drubbed No. 12 Blackwater, 127-109, to bolster its drive for twice-to-beat in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The FiberXers unleashed a balanced assault that saw six players producing double-digit scores en route to grabbing their eighth win in 11 outings and the inside track in the race for Top 2.

The league’s youngest ballclub took solo second behind pacesetting TNT (6-2) and left idle Meralco (7-3), Hong Kong Eastern (7-3) and NorthPort (7-3) at joint third.

Coach Franco Atienza’s charges will next have to hurdle holder San Miguel Beer (4-5) on Friday and potentially clinch one of the coveted win-once bonuses in the Last-8 against a lower-ranked opponent.

Later, NLEX stopped a five-game skid and revived its quarters bid at the expense of Phoenix, 108-94. At 4-6, the Road Warriors tied Magnolia at No. 9 while the Fuel Masters (3-7) stayed at 11th.