PBA: Converge bounces back against the NLEX Road Warriors
Cheick Diallo led the Converge FiberXers to a 102-91 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup last Tuesday night, December 17, held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Diallo exploded for 37 points and 18 rebounds as Converge recorded a 3-2 win-loss record.
The FiberXers import dropped 12 in the fourth quarter of the game and spearheaded an 18-9 salvo that restored an 11-point cushion and extinguished the threat after the Road Warriors rallied to within two.
Converge coach Franco Atienza was pleased and happy with the result of the game and the resurgence of the 28-year-old former NBA player.
”We’re coming off a loss, so we just wanted to go back to where we were going. When you come off a loss, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth so we wanted to go back to what we’re doing right and see where you can improve. And tonight, we’re able to play together defensively and run our system on offense,” said Atienza.
“We have five guys almost in double digits, and a good bounce-back game for [Diallo.] He proved himself right here. We’re least bit worried about having his numbers because this is a great league, and sometimes you get scouted, and teams plan for you. Right now it just so happened that we’re getting him, we’re seeing him, and guys are feeding off his strength,” he added.
Alec Stockton converted 14 points and 11 assists while Jordan Heading had 14 points and 11 assists.
Meanwhile, the win also marked the first for top rookie pick Justine Baltazar, who had only four points, four assists and seven rebounds in 22:51 minutes of gameplay, after losing in his debut game against Northport last week.
The loss was NLEX’s second straight, which has left them with three wins and three losses, despite getting 36 points and 23 rebounds from import Mike Watkins and 26 markers from Robert Bolick.
The Scores:
Converge 102 – Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.
Quarter Scores: 28-18, 52-44, 77-72, 102-91.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).