Converge survives another day off Alec Stockton buzzer-beater
Converge Alec Stockton made the final say in the Game 3 of their quarter finals against San Miguel when he hit a two-point jumper at the end of the buzzer to lead the FiberXers victory against the Beermen, 114-112, on Monday night, September 30, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The victory was the first franchise win of Converge in a post-elims play and the team did it in a fashionable way as they pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback from 21 deficit.
San Miguel’s lead even reached as high as 27 points when they erected an 83-56 advantage before entering the final canto with an 83-66 edge.
Then, the FiberXers resilience prevailed in the end as Stockton buried the game-winning shot over the outstretched arms of CJ Perez.
Stockton's buzzer-beater became possible after the Converge guard stayed in the game when a flagrant foul penalty two called on him in the first quarter was downgraded to a penalty one after a review.
He was initially called for a F2 after elbowing Kris Rosales in the closing seconds of the first period, but after the referees changed the call, allowing Stockton to stay in the game.
Stockton finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists for the FiberXers, while Justin Arana produced 23 markers and 11 boards, and import Jalen Jones added 17.
“It’s still far. Isa pa lang ito. It’s one of the three. It’s hard to beat that team three straight. But we will take it one game muna,” said Converge coach Franco Atienza.
EJ Anosike racked up 39 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished off five assists, while Perez added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Beermen in the defeat.
The Beermen still lead the best-of-five series, 2-1, and will try to close it again on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
Converge 114 – Arana 23, Stockton 20, Jones 17, Santos 15, Caralipio 11, Winston 10, Cabagnot 8, Nieto 7, Delos Santos 2, Ambohot 1, Andrade 0.
San Miguel 112 – Anosike 39, Perez 18, Lassiter 14, Fajardo 12, Romeo 12, Ross 6, Rosales 6, Trollano 3, Cruz 2, Brondial 0.
Quarters: 20-27; 44-53; 66-87; 114-112.
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