Converge back on track

MANILA, Philippines — Buffering no more.

Losing four straight games was too much to bear, not to mention potentially destructive to its playoffs aspirations, and so Converge held an honest-to-goodness bull session on how to deal with its predicament.

The consensus was: It’s time to get back to the team’s defensive roots.

And that’s what the FiberXers did when they faced giant killer Terrafirma, paving the way for an emphatic 120-103 victory last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo that reignited their bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The pullaround hiked Converge’s record to an even 4-4, enabling the squad to keep its hold of fourth spot in Group A, one W ahead of the fifth-running Dyip (3-5) in the race for the quarterfinal tickets.

“Kailangang-kailangan namin ang panalo against Terra, sila ang ka-tie namin (for No. 4 prior to the game),” said coach Delta Pineda after ending their skid while stopping the Dyip’s attempt at a follow-up to their 114-109 upset of erstwhile unbeaten NLEX.

“At the same time, masyado na malalim ‘yung apat na sunod na talo, kailangan na mag-bounce back. Kaya nag usap-usap kami ng mga bata, kailangang mag-regroup, refocus, at bumawi especially on defense,” he added.

The FiberXers showed this defensive tenacity in the form of 10 steals and five shot blocks against the Dyip.

Cameron Clark, Converge’s third import of the conference, and veteran Calvin Abueva, served as anchors of the team’s shot-stopping efforts.

Later, NLEX showed composure despite losing DeQuan Jones to a fractured leg in the third quarter to pull through against TNT in overtime, 118-111.

Robert Bolick (27) fired two late four-balls in regulation then LJay Gonzales (career-high 26) took charge in extra time as the Road Warriors rebounded to 7-1. The Tropang 5G fell to 4-4