Converge goes out winning

MANILA, Philippines — It won’t take away the fact that its PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign is a bust but this closing win should serve Converge well moving forward.

Largely considered as a contender prior to the mid-season action with key additions like Mikey Williams and Calvin Abueva coming in, the FiberXers struggled big time and missed out on a spot in the Last-8.

Coach Delta Pineda’s souped-up crew produced a 5-7 card, taking its final bow with a 136-122 blowout win over Blackwater in a duel of eliminated sides last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo.

Final standing for the FiberXers was ninth overall – just one spot and a win or two short of cracking the quarterfinals.

“Sinabi ko sa kanila treat this like a do-or-die pa rin and kailangan pa rin namin magtrabaho. Just because wala na kaming chance (to make quarterfinals) magre-relax na po, kailangang magtrabaho at ipakita ang obligasyon namin sa team,” said Pineda.

Later, San Miguel Beer ended the elims with three straight Ws, beating fellow quarters-bound Phoenix, 116-104, for fifth spot at 7-5.

The Fuel Masters dropped to No. 8 at 6-6.