San Miguel vs Converge [PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | January 24, 2025]
San Miguel showcased its championship mettle when it mattered most, securing a hard-fought 116-113 victory over Converge to reclaim sole possession of eighth place in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.
The Beermen surrendered a staggering 19-point lead in the second half, yet they found the resolve to fend off the FiberXers’ spirited rally, marking a crucial win following two disappointing losses to Meralco and NorthPort.
San Miguel benefited from a revitalized performance by import Malik Pope, who finally made his mark after struggling in his first two outings. With this victory, the Beermen improved to 5-6, overtaking Magnolia and NLEX, both sitting at 4-6.
Pope, who had managed a mere 18 points combined in his initial games—including a disappointing four-point effort in the 105-104 loss to NorthPort—exploded for 22 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks. His pivotal jumper pushed the Beermen ahead by 17 points with just seven minutes remaining, setting the stage for the dramatic Converge comeback.
Juami Tiongson also shone brightly with 22 points, including six three-pointers, while the eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo dominated the paint with 19 points and 14 rebounds. Don Trollano, CJ Perez, and Marcio Lassiter contributed with 17, 11, and 10 points, respectively.
With a strong start that saw them lead 29-16, the Beermen appeared in control until the final 1:36, when the FiberXers clawed back to within one at 113-114, courtesy of Cheick Diallo’s short jumper.
Diallo’s basket capped a stunning 22-6 run by Converge, who had been down as much as 91-108 with 7:26 left in the game. However, San Miguel found answers in Fajardo and Perez, who helped extend their lead against a relentless Converge squad.
A series of late-game miscues, coupled with consecutive three-point misses from Stockton, sealed the victory for SMB.
Diallo led the charge for Converge with an impressive 28 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists, while Jordan Heading added a strong performance with 25 points, including two four-point plays and several key triples. However, it was not enough to extend Converge’s two-game winning streak, as they finished their elimination campaign at 8-4.
Stockton chipped in 19 points, and top draft pick Justine Baltazar contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks in his inaugural matchup against Fajardo. Now, Converge looks to the outcomes of other teams’ games to gauge their chances for a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
