MANILA, Philippines – Converge defeated San Miguel Beer in overtime with a final score of 113 to 111 in a dramatic Father’s Day game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. Converge had trailed by 16 points during regular play.

Jerrick Balanza made the game-winning shot on a fastbreak attack with Alec Stockton’s help in the final seconds of the preseason match between Arena Plus and the FiberXers. The FiberXers, who ended a three-game losing streak and improved their record to two wins and three defeats, won thanks to Balanza’s heroics.

With 1.9 seconds left, the Beermen had a chance to seal the victory, but they were unable to make a successful rim shot. Thanks to the combined efforts of Jeric Teng, Justin Arana, Kevin Racal, Barkley Ebona, and Stockton, Converge was able to erase Jericho Cruz’s record-breaking 41-point performance in the PBA On Tour.

All five players, along with Balanza and Mike Nieto, reached double digit scoring under the direction of interim coach Franco Atienza. With a career-high 23 points, including a critical three-pointer with 17 seconds left that matched the game at 111, Stockton in particular significantly boosted the team’s performance.

After Stockton’s game-winning shot, the FiberXers showed gritty teamwork to effectively neutralize Moala Tautuaa’s inside presence and keep San Miguel from snapping their two-game losing skid. The Beermen finished the game with a 3-3 record despite Tautuaa’s double-double effort of 15 points and 14 assists and Rodney Brondial’s contributions of 13 points and 14 rebounds.

With a series of strong surges in the second half, the FiberXers were able to catch up and seize the lead for the first time at 76-75. Jeric Teng, who had been out for all of the third quarter, returned in the fourth period revitalized and was a crucial part of a run that gave his team an eight-point lead at 90-82.

However, the tenacious Beermen staged their own rally and tied the game 99-all to force overtime. The scene was set for an action-packed conclusion, with both teams putting in great effort to claim victory.

Converge executed critical plays on both ends of the floor during the extra quarter, demonstrating resilience and calm. They outscored San Miguel as a result of their perseverance, securing the arduous triumph.

The exciting game gave viewers a great basketball spectacle while showcasing the competitive attitude and abilities of both sides. The team’s tenacity and potential for success in the forthcoming season are highlighted by Converge’s incredible recovery and ability to resist San Miguel’s difficulties.

Both Converge and San Miguel will work to hone their tactics and strengthen their chemistry as the preseason progresses. As these teams are prepared to produce more thrilling and highly contested games in the PBA On Tour, fans eagerly anticipate their upcoming matchups.