Justin Arana steps up for Converge to close in on semis berth
Justin Arana returned to the hardcourt to guide Converge past Rain or Shine as it eked out a 130-118 win in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, February 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Converge’s big man put up 22 points and eight rebounds in his return from a knee injury that saw the FiberXers overcome a 17-point deficit to win the first game of the best-of-three quarterfinals.
“This is our fifth time being in the quarterfinals but we have yet to reach the semis. We’re really eager to seal the win,” said Arana in Filipino. “Hopefully, we get another win so we can make our first semis trip.”
As Rain or Shine continued to dominate despite the manpower problem, Adrian Nocum then made a three-pointer to put the deficit at 104-105 early in the fourth quarter.
After being forced to sit out due to a blatant foul late in the third, Arana came alive and made up for lost time.
Unfazed by the hyperextended knee he sustained in their penultimate elimination round matchup against the San Miguel Berrmen on January 24, Arana gave Converge a comfortable 122-108 cushion after sinking nine points in a 17-4 run.
Import Cheick Diallo top scored for the FiberXers with 35 markers on top of 17 boards and three rejections, capitalizing on the premature exit of Elasto Painters counterpart Deon Thompson in the third period due to six fouls.
Jordan Heading posted 21 points with nine assists and two blocks for the FiberXers, while Schonny Winston registered 17 markers, pulled down four boards, and dished out four dimes.
Alec Stockton delivered a 13-point, 10-assist double-double, with rookie Justin Baltazar adding 13 markers and six boards, highlighted by his poster slam on veteran Beau Belga during their fourth-quarter breakaway.
Meanwhile, Caelan Tiongson scored 23 points, three rebounds, and two assists to lead the Elasto Painters. But his efforts went down the drain as it was unable to cover the void left by Thompson, who played just under 25 minutes.
Adrian Nocum and Anton Asistio contributed 14 points each in the defeat.
Converge will look to conclude the series and advance to the semifinals when Game 2 unwraps on Friday, February 7, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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Arvin Tolentino rediscovered his scoring touch just in time, delivering a standout performance as NorthPort held off Barangay Ginebra, 108-103, in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Wednesday, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Batang Pier avoided a sweep and forced a Game 5, though they had to withstand a furious late rally from the Gin Kings to keep their season alive. Ginebra still holds a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Tolentino, who struggled in the first half with just two points, erupted for 18 in the second half to finish with 20. He also contributed across the board with 11 assists, nine rebounds, four steals, and a block in his best game of the series.
Import Kadeem Jack led the charge with a dominant 39-point, 15-rebound performance while also dishing out five dimes. Will Navarro (16), Joshua Munzon (14), and Paolo Taha (11) also provided key contributions.
"I had to step up, or else we’d be out," Tolentino said. "As a team, we found a way to win today. It feels great to win too. But again, it's just one win.” Tolentino said.
“We gotta win more and hopefully continue our good game. From the next game up to the last game, we have to find a way to win. Three more, it seems impossible, but nothing is impossible,” he added.
After a slow start, Tolentino came alive in the third quarter, scoring 14 points—including a clutch three-pointer to close the period—helping NorthPort build an 84-74 lead entering the fourth.
Jack continued to dominate inside, converting an and-one play before Navarro drilled a three-pointer to stretch the lead to 96-88. Jack later extended the advantage to 104-93.
But Ginebra fought back, going on a 7-0 run and capitalizing on NorthPort’s turnovers. Stephen Holt then nailed a crucial three-pointer off an RJ Abarrientos pass, cutting the deficit to 104-103 with 36.8 seconds left.
Jack answered with a fadeaway jumper, and Tolentino sealed the win with two free throws.
All five Ginebra starters scored in double figures, with Brownlee leading the way with 18 points. Troy Rosario added 17, while Holt had 15.
NorthPort will now aim to extend the series again in Game 5, while Ginebra looks to close it out on Friday, March 7.
Calvin Oftana erupted for 26 points to lead the TNT Tropang Giga to a hard-fought 93-85 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Wednesday night, March 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Oftana also tallied three rebounds and four assists in his stellar performance, helping TNT move one step closer to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
The Cebuano sweet-shooting forward dedicated the win to veteran Jayson Castro, who has been ruled out for the season due to a knee injury.
"Malaking bagay na wala si Kuya Jayson. Itong remaining games namin, inoffer namin sa kanya," said Oftana.
"Big factor si Kuya Jayson sa amin, pero hindi lang isang tao ang makakapuno sa kawalan niya. Kailangan namin magtulungan bilang isang team," he added.
Fellow Cebuano RR Pogoy provided solid support, finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered another all-around performance, contributing 17 markers, 11 boards, five deflections, two rejections, and a dime.
Rey Nambatac chipped in 12 points and six rebounds, while Kim Aurin added nine markers, including a crucial three-pointer in the closing minutes.
On the other side, Rain or Shine's reinforcement Deon Thompson put up a game-high 44 points and 13 rebounds, but his efforts were in vain as his local teammates struggled to produce. Keith Datu and Anton Asistio were the closest to double figures, finishing with eight points each.
Tropang Giga now has the chance to close out the series on Friday, March 7, at 5:00 PM at the same venue. However, with Rain or Shine's resilience throughout the series, the Elasto Painters could still force a deciding Game 5.
After dominating NorthPort in the Game 3 of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semi-finals series, Barangay Ginebra got closer to another Finals appearance.
The Kings got the 3-0 commanding lead in their semis battle after dismantling the Batang Pier 127-100, Sunday night, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jamie Malonzo led the charge with 27 points on 4-of-5 shooting from three-point territory. He also grabbed eight rebounds in his breakout game after returning to action last January.
Ginebra’s resident import, Justin Brownlee, provided solid support with 22 points, shooting 5-of-7 from three-point range.
Veterans Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Troy Rosario also contributed significantly, scoring 17, 15, and 10 points, respectively.
RJ Abarrientos made an impact off the bench with a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists, posting a plus-24 rating whenever he was on the floor.
On the other hand, NorthPort’s Kadeem Jack carried the Batang Pier on his shoulders as he put up a game-high 32 points along with four assists, two steals, and a block. However, he managed just three rebounds.
Arvin Tolentino struggled offensively, finishing with 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting, including a cold 1-of-6 from three-point range – far from this elimination round average where he became the league-leading candidate for the Best Player of the Conference award.
Paolo Taha was the only other NorthPort player to score in double figures, contributing 10 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting.
Ginebra’s depth proved crucial, outscoring NorthPort’s bench 58-39, allowing them to maintain control throughout the game.
The Gin Kings will have a chance to close out the series on Wednesday, March 5, at 2 PM, at the same venue.