Fiberxers make it two in a row

MANILA, Philippines — Converge debuted a new import for the second straight game and once more came out with a lopsided victory.

With Jamaal Franklin taking over from opening-game reinforcement Ethan Rusbatch, the FiberXers crushed Terrafirma, 130-115, to grab a leading 2-0 card in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the PhilSports Arena.

Franklin, who suited up just four days after Rusbatch helped Converge to a franchise-high 30-point destruction of NorthPort, scattered 42 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to get his winning start and overshadow the 46-point scorcher of Terrafirma’s Jordan Williams.

Coach Aldin Ayo said Franklin provided the firepower and ball distribution lacking when the team was still with Rusbatch, who posted 17 markers and nine boards in his lone PBA outing.

“We got it (firepower) today. Jamaal played a good game and he was also making all those extra passes to the locals and good thing, yung locals nakapag-convert ng mga tira nila,” said Ayo.

Franklin only had two days of practice with Converge prior to his first appearance and Ayo expects the former Memphis Grizzlies player to fit more with his run-and-gun squad as they go along.

“I think we’ll stick with Jamaal (moving forward). We’ll make sure mag-fit siya sa ginagawa namin. Gusto pa namin laliman yung schemes namin and do this during the elims para pagdating ng playoffs may ilalabas pa kami,” said Ayo.

Converge’s locals were solid as well with Mav Ahanmisi (16), Justin Arana (15), Jeron Teng (15), Abu Tratter (10) and Alec Stockton (10) giving significant contributions in the 15-point victory.

From a tight contest, the FiberXers took command using a 32-21 exchange in the third quarter ignited by Franklin, Teng and Arana. With momentum on their side, Ayo’s charges continued the pounding in the fourth, where they went up by as many as 22 at 130-108.

Meralco later joined Converge at the summit after posting its second W at the expense of NorthPort, 107-102.

KJ McDaniels dished out a monster 32-point, 22-rebound performance while Chris Newsome hit five of his 16 in the stretch to bail the Bolts out of trouble after squandering a nine-point lead.

The Batang Pier, who were led by Marcus Weathers’ 29-14, fell to 0-2.

Juami Tiongson (18) and veteran Alex Cabagnot (11) backstopped Williams in a losing cause for the Dyip (0-1).

Meanwhile, action in the season-ending tourney shifts to the Ynares Center for a three-day swing beginning today.

TNT, fresh from its 123-119 opening win over Phoenix, shoots for two straight against Rain or Shine (0-1) in the main game of a Friday double-header.

The TNT-ROS setto is set at 5:45 p.m.

Phoenix (0-1) and Blackwater (0-1) clash at 3 p.m. in a duel of teams that dropped their maiden assignments. The Bossing are reeling from their 124-102 setback to NLEX last Wednesday.