MANILA, Philippines – CONVERGE defeated Phoenix 116-105 on Thursday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, causing lightning to strike again and earning a second consecutive victory for the first time in the tournament.

The FiberXers, who had just defeated NLEX 102-91 the previous Tuesday, were taken by surprise by the Fuel Masters in the first half but rallied and got their act together in the second half. Jordan Heading and Cheick Diallo both finished with 21 points.

Franco Atienza, Converge’s acting head coach, praised his team’s outstanding effort, especially after they overcame a difficult start. Atienza acknowledged that he was nervous as Phoenix launched an aggressive beginning and took a decisive 20–2 lead.

The squad was able to remain calm and concentrate on their strategy in spite of the early setback. Converge reoriented their strategy, going back to the fundamentals of their system on both the attacking and defensive ends. The team’s performance stabilized and gained momentum thanks in large part to this methodical response.

At first, Phoenix’s early lead appeared insurmountable, but Converge’s tenacity was evident. The players showed that they could adjust under duress by sticking to their plan, which was crucial in closing the gap. The club was able to progressively reduce Phoenix’s lead by focusing on carrying out their attacking plays and bolstering their defensive efforts.

Converge showed both mental toughness and tactical discipline under Atienza’s tutelage, which were essential for overcoming the game’s difficult situations. His guidance and the group’s combined work demonstrated a dedication to their system and an unwavering will to achieve.

The game demonstrated how crucial it is to remain composed and focused in the face of difficulty. It also demonstrated Converge’s ability to step up, depending on collaboration and calculated action to accomplish their goals.

Converge’s confidence was bolstered by this win, which also confirmed the efficacy of their method, which is still essential to their league success. The team hopes to build on this experience and further hone their approaches to the upcoming problems as they look to the future.

The FiberXers’ shock troopers, led by Schonny Winston, Bryan Santos, and BJ Andrade, ignited the comeback before starters Alec Stockton, Diallo, and Justine Baltazar completed the job and ensured their fourth victory in six games.

Converge won’t have much time to relax, though, as they have to make another quick turnaround for their game against Barangay Ginebra on Saturday in Batangas City before playing Meralco on Christmas Day to round out the year.

Converge’s forthcoming game against Barangay Ginebra has become the sole focus of acting head coach Franco Atienza. He underlined the significance of preparation and recuperation, acknowledging the demanding timetable that lies ahead. The squad has the additional responsibility of traveling for an out-of-town game on Saturday after their most recent game.

Atienza is committed to making sure the group puts their most recent performance behind them and focuses on the current task. Because there won’t be much time in between games, the focus will be on improving tactics, controlling player tiredness, and staying focused. The team must be at its peak both psychologically and physically to take on Ginebra, a strong opponent renowned for its depth and experience.

Converge’s hard stretch will be further increased by the out-of-town game on Saturday. There are special difficulties in juggling preparation with travel, especially when it comes to keeping players prepared and adjusting to logistical limitations. Atienza and his crew are committed to overcoming these obstacles while maintaining the team’s readiness and competitiveness.

Converge’s capacity to bounce back and build on their recent success will be put to the test during this time. The importance of these forthcoming games in relation to their season is well understood by the players and coaching staff. Converge is dedicated to giving a performance that showcases its potential and will to compete at the greatest level, with Ginebra as their top priority right now.

The FiberXers employed a well-balanced attack to overcome an 89-87 deficit and even extend the advantage to a high of 112-99. Once they had the lead, they steadfastly refused to let it go.