MANILA, Philippines – The Converge FiberXers defeated the Terrafirma Dyip 109-97 on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena, securing their spot in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup playoffs. The FiberXers overcame a slow start with a powerful second-half effort to record their sixth victory in 10 games and formally guarantee a trip to the quarterfinals.

It was hardly an easy triumph. Terrafirma was able to gain momentum early on because Converge started the match noticeably out of sync. The Dyip quickly jumped out to a 30–15 lead in the first quarter, taking advantage of their aggressive offense. In the second quarter, Terrafirma increased their advantage to as many as 18 points while the FiberXers were having trouble finding their groove.

On the sidelines, Converge head coach Franco Atienza maintained his composure while telling his team to be patient and follow the game plan. The squad started to close the gap before halftime, demonstrating the effectiveness of their composed strategy. Before the third period, the FiberXers had cut the deficit to only eight points, 55–47, thanks to crucial defensive stops and better ball movement.

The Converge team was entirely different in the second half. Terrafirma’s lead was swiftly wiped by the FiberXers, who emerged with fresh vigor. Alec Stockton and Adrian Nocum spearheaded a flurry of outside shooting that turned the tide. Stockton maintained tempo control, allowing for fluid offensive setups and attacking the rim when needed, while Nocum ignited the comeback with his clutch three-pointers.

Large men Mike Nieto and Justin Arana led the defense and made offensive contributions. Nieto’s hustle on both ends provided Converge with second-chance opportunities that were vital in changing the game’s flow, while Arana’s presence in the paint hindered Terrafirma’s inside attack.

Converge had turned the tide and was ahead by six points at the beginning of the fourth quarter. They kept control after that, repelling all Dyip rally attempts. In the second half, Terrafirma was outscored 62–42 by the FiberXers, demonstrating the team’s depth and flexibility.

Nocum led all scorers with a career-high 28 points, including four triples. Arana’s double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds and Stockton’s consistent playmaking complemented his offensive outburst. Jeron Teng and Kevin Racal also contributed to the team’s well-balanced offense, providing crucial minutes and scoring bursts when required.

Converge surged into the top six of the standings with the victory, improving to 6–4. They avoided the danger of losing out on the final playoff positions by winning, which guaranteed them at least a quarterfinal berth. After experiencing inconsistency earlier in the competition, including consecutive losses to Barangay Ginebra and NLEX, this is a nice reversal for the FiberXers.

Following the game, coach Atienza commended his team’s moral fiber and mental fortitude. The team showed maturity in their response to adversity by remaining composed during the difficult first quarter. In addition to securing a postseason ticket, the victory showed that Converge was prepared for more difficult opposition in the following round.

However, the defeat put Terrafirma at 1-8 and formally disqualified them from playoff contention. Early on in the game, though, the Dyip displayed glimpses of promise. Terrafirma was led by Juami Tiongson with 27 points, followed by veteran Kevin Ferrer with 18. Despite having a solid start, the team once again struggled in the second half, a regrettable trend that has followed them throughout the conference.

In the closing minutes, Terrafirma had trouble with shot selection and turnovers. Additionally, they struggled to control Converge’s perimeter game, which ultimately exposed their defensive plans. In order to improve for upcoming conferences, the Dyip hope to finish their campaign on a high note in their remaining games, even with the setback.

On June 11, Converge will face the formidable San Miguel Beermen in their final elimination round matchup. The final seeding in the quarterfinals will be decided by that match. Depending on other outcomes, a victory might move the FiberXers into the top four. As the playoffs draw near, coach Atienza stressed that the team needs to keep getting better and keep the same level of focus and poise.

The FiberXers are one of the more intriguing teams in the Philippine Cup because of their combination of youth, discipline, and rising star power.