Stockton sparks Converge comeback with big win over Geneva

MANILA, Philippines. – Alec Stockton sparked Converge’s game-changing comeback in the third quarter as the FiberXers held off the injury-plagued Barangay Ginebra Kings 98-91 in their Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup road game PBA, Saturday at Batangas City Stadium.

Stockton scored 17 of his team’s 22 points, helping Converge beat Ginebra, 33-13 in a crucial third quarter that allowed the young franchise to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit.

The speedy guard from Far Eastern University played like a man possessed during this stretch that saw the Filipino-American guard also bury three triples.

Late in the game, after the Gin Kings had cut the FiberXers’ nine-point lead to just 91-95, Stockton was able to find big man Justin Arana, who scored on a reverse layup.

Moments later, Stockton went 1 of 2 from the foul line, while Maverick Ahanmisi’s turnover at the other end sealed Ginebra’s loss and added another accomplishment for the young PBA franchise.

Stockton then added six rebounds and eight assists for the FiberXers, who earned their third straight victory to move into a tie with Eastern for second place in the standings with their 5-2 record.

Cheick Diallo had 19 points and 18 rebounds, Schonny Winston 15, Jordan Heading added 13, four and six assists, while Arana had 11 and seven rebounds.

Ginebra dropped to 3-2 overall after losing for the second time in its last three outings.

Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 39 points, but shot just 15 of 34 overall as he tried to carry the scoring load for his undermanned team.

The Gin Kings played without top player Japeth Aguilar due to a groin injury, while Stephen Holt managed to play through a knee injury.