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| Converge import Quincy Miller (#30) was ganged up by Terrafirma players during their game on Friday. Photo credit: PBA Images. |
Import Quincy Miller and team captain Maverick Ahanmisi made sure head coach Aldin Ayo's debut would be special as they pushed the Converge FiberXers to a 124-110 drubbing of Terrafirma Dyip at the Philsports Arena on Friday.
Miller, who formerly played for the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, and Detroit Pistons in the NBA, led the FiberXers with 38 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in almost 40 minutes of play.
Ahanmisi came off the bench to tally 18 points, four boards, seven assists, and one steal. He and Miller combined for eight three-pointers to help Converge break free from a 62-all standoff at halftime.
“We started flat, especially in the first quarter. We’re getting our shot but we’re not just making those shots. I told them those were good shots and they were executing also. It’s just that, it’s all about finishing those,” Ayo told reporters after the game.
“First games have always been the hardest, you don’t have any idea and you don’t know what to expect so for us we just step on the pedal and (go) full speed ahead. We just have to keep on running but of course we have to make shots. We got a lot of open shots, we just have to converge those,” he added.
FINAL: 124-110 in favor of the Converge FiberXers!
— PBA (@pbaconnect) September 23, 2022
Best Player: Quincy Miller with 38 points, 13/25 FGs, 16 rebounds and 5 assists. #PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/LYSDXOiZTa
“First games have always been the hardest, you don’t have any idea and you don’t know what to expect so for us we just step on the pedal and (go) full speed ahead. We just have to keep on running but of course we have to make shots. We got a lot of open shots, we just have to converge those,” he added.
Dyip importer Lester Prosper finished with 43 points to lead all scorers and had 25 boards and five assists. Former PBA Finals MVP Alex Cabagnot scored 13 points and dished out eight assists in his first game back from the Achilles injury he suffered last December 2021.
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| NLEX import Earl Clark (#6) jumps over several Rain or Shine players. Photo credit: PBA Images |
Meanwhile, the NLEX Road Warriors spoiled the homecoming of their former coach as they turned back the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 96-90, in the second game of the afternoon.
NLEX import Earl Clark, a former teammate of the late great Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles, had a stellar performance with 26 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, four steals, and six blocked shots. Justin Chua led the locals with 18 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
Best Player: Earl Clark with 26 points, 14 rebounds, 6 blocks and 4 assists. #PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/eO6JgDpATj
— PBA (@pbaconnect) September 23, 2022
Import Steve Taylor Jr. led the gallant stand of Coach Yeng Guiao with 21 points, 12 boards, four dimes, and a steal. Rey Nambatac and Mike Nieto contributed 11 and 10 points respectively.
Here are the scores:
Converge 124 - Miller 38, Ahamisi 18, Arana 13, Ilagan 12, Teng 11, Stockton 11, Melecio 10, Bulanadi 4, Racal 3, Tratter 2, DiGregorio 2, Ambohot 0.
Terrafirma 110 - Prosper 43, Munzon 14, Tiongson 13, Cabagnot 13, Cahilig 7, Gomez de Liano 7, Calvo 5, Camson 4, Ramos 2, Alolino 2, Javelona 0, Gabayni 0, Mina 0.
Quarter scores: 26-30, 62-62, 93-79, 124-110.
NLEX 96 - Clark 26, Chua 18, Abas 15, Trollano 12, Nieto 12, Varilla 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Miranda 3, Rosales 0, Magat 2, Fonacier 0, Ighalo 0.
Rain or Shine 90 - Taylor Jr. 21, Nambatac 11, Nieto 10, Caracut 9, Ponferada 8, Asistio 7, Demusis 6, Belga 5, Ildefonso 4, Santillan 4, Borboran 3, Norwood 2, Mamuyac 0, Torres 0.
Quarter scores: 15-24, 36-42, 67-66, 96-90.
Rain or Shine 90 - Taylor Jr. 21, Nambatac 11, Nieto 10, Caracut 9, Ponferada 8, Asistio 7, Demusis 6, Belga 5, Ildefonso 4, Santillan 4, Borboran 3, Norwood 2, Mamuyac 0, Torres 0.
Quarter scores: 15-24, 36-42, 67-66, 96-90.