Alec Stockton took charge in the last five minutes, leading the Converge FiberXers to a 77-71 win over the Blackwater Elite Bossing on Sunday in the 2022-2023 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The 24-year-old Stockton came up with a new career high of 15 points to go with eight rebounds in helping lift the FiberXers to their fifth triumph in seven matches.
The 6’1” Stockton shot six points and hauled down six boards as he did a lot of the heavy lifting in the final stretches of the fourth period for the FiberXers, who stretched their winning run to four and climbed to third place in the team standings.
The FiberXers gained control of the boards in the last period with 22 rebounds to the Bossings’ 13.
Stockton’s driving layup off Maverick Ahanmisi’s rebound allowed Converge to force the game’s final tie, 68-all, in the remaining 4:59, touching off a pivotal 9-0 blast.
RK Ilagan’s layup, followed by Stockton’s layup off a turnover in the 3:47 mark sent Converge further ahead, 72-68, and into their biggest edge, 77-68, with 58 ticks remaining.
Coach Aldin Ayo said the FiberXers took time to get their pace back because the squad has not yet recovered from their big win over the Talk N Text Tropang Giga, 130-117, last Friday.
“We were not able to quickly get our pace back. We relied on our halfcourt execution and defended pretty well on the last stretch,” said Ayo.
Quincy Miller banged in 22 points and had 19 rebounds for Converge, while Abu Tratter contributed 12.
Stockton outdid himself from his previous career-high of 13 points when Converge lost to Rain or Shine in its opening game, 77-79.