PBA: Converge makes semis for first time, eliminates Rain or Shine

MANILA — Converge is on its way to the semifinals for the first time after taking down Rain or Shine in Game 4, 120-109, in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

A tight ballgame in the fourth frame, with the FiberXers only leading by one, 103-102, after a Vince Cuajao triple, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, and Justine Baltazar all contributed to expand their lead to seven late, 109-102.

Rain or Shine’s Luis Villegas and Adrian Nocum pulled their team within two again after making a triple and completing a trip to the foul line, 109-107, but it was Mikey Williams who wore the heroic cape for Converge, dealing the dagger triples on back-to-back possessions to secure the Final Four spot for the FiberXers.

Cameron Clark took much of the scoring load, finishing with a double-double of 32 points and 12 rebounds that went with six assists.

Williams registered 17 points and seven rebounds and also earned the Player of the Game nod after his heroics, while Arana added 16 markers and five boards.

Stockton had 14 points, Juan Gomez de Liano had 13, while Calvin Abueva had 11 before getting ejected.

They will face NLEX in the semifinals, although the league enters a break before kicking off the next round.

Meanwhile, it is the end of the road for Rain or Shine after the quarterfinals loss.

Import Aaron Fuller had 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Jhonard Clarito led with 18 markers for the local scoring in the loss.

CONVERGE 120 – Clark 32, Williams 17, Arana 16, Stockton 14, Gomez de Liano 13, Abueva 11, Baltazar 9, Policarpio 5, Garcia 2, Tungcab 1, Santos 0, Concepcion 0

RAIN OR SHINE 109 – Fuller 23, Clarito 18, Tiongson 14, Lemetti 13, Malonzo 13, Villegas 11, Nocum 10, Cuajao 5, Caracut 2, Manaytay 0

QUARTERS: 39-27, 62-60, 89-87, 120-109