Import Quincy Miller came to the rescue of Converge en route to a 106-99 win over Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Miller, who played for Detroit, Sacramento and Denver in the National Basketball Association, knocked in seven points to avert an endgame collapse by the FiberXers.
After leading by 22 points in the first half, Converge suddenly got threatened by Meralco with import Johnny O’Bryant and Allein Maliksi combining for 26 of the Bolts’ 36-point out in the third quarter alone.
Sensing impending danger, Miller took charge while Maverick Ahanmisi backed him by coming up with the coup d grace, allowing the FiberXers to post their second win in four games.
Meralco saw its record drop to 1-3.
Miller, who suited up for Baylor during his collegiate days, wound up firing a game-high 29 points apart from hauling 16 rebounds, five steals and three blocks, numbers that reflected his energy and dynamism on both ends of the court.
Ahanmisi, also an NCAA Division 1 player like the 6-10 Miller, chipped in 21 points on a steady five-of-nine shooting from beyond the arc.
A triple with 39 ticks remaining proved to be the deciding basket of the game.
O’Bryant led the way for the Bolts with 27 while Aaron Black sank 18.
The scores:
Converge (106) — Miller 29, Ahanmisi 21, Bulanadi 12, Teng 11, Ilagan 10, Tratter 9, Melecio 8, Stockton 4, Racal 2, Ambohot 0.
Meralco (99) — O’Bryant 27, Black 18, Maliksi 14, Caram 14, Quinto 12, Hodge 10, Pasaol 4, Johnson 0, Jose 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 35-28; 68-48; 87-82; 106-99.
