Fiberxers enter playoffs

MANILA, Philippines — For Converge, it’s all about picking up the threads of their winning performance at the close of the initial salvo of the PBA Governors’ Cup in August.

The FiberXers, led by the triple-double-norming Juan Gomez de Liaño and steady import Cameron Clark, played like a bunch that didn’t come off a 58-day hiatus, routing Titan, 152-119, last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

On the first anniversary of his 3-D debut in the pro league, super rookie Gomez de Liaño turned in a 32-point, 12-rebound, 13-assist game to spark Converge to their sixth win in 10 games.

And with their 6-4 card, the FiberXers booked an outright playoff berth, completing the quarters cast from Group A.

Making the playoffs earlier were NLEX (8-2), San Miguel Beer (7-3) and TNT 6-4).

Cameron Clark banged in 30 markers, half of it during Converge’s 38-27 first-quarter barrage, as he stretched his perfect batting average with the team.

With Clark on board, the FiberXers are 3-for-3 dating back their last two gigs in August just before the league took a long break, continuing their turnaround after an alarming four-game skid with different reinforcements.

Five other locals finished with twin digit productions – Justin Baltazar (20 with 11 boards), Alec Stockton (16), Calvin Abueva (15), Jhonnel Policarpio (11) and Justin Arana (11).

“We’re just trying to play the right way and be there for one another,” said Gomez de Liaño, who now has four triple-double performances in his maiden season.

“We’re a very young team and that’s the kind of pace coach Delta (Pineda) wants to instill in the team – try to run, get some stops, bring a lot of energy and effort,” he added.

This was on full display from the opening tip on.

Clark touched off the Sunday match with a bucket then a three-point play. Gomez de Liaño followed up with a triple , Baltazar a putback and Policarpio a split as Converge raced to an 11-0 start that laid the foundation to the emphatic win.

Later, rampaging Magnolia repeated over Manila Clasico rival Barangay Ginebra in their Group B series, 112-93, to clinch a quarterfinal ticket at 6-3. The Gin Kings dropped to fifth at 3-5.