Juan GDL Erupts for 32 as Converge Races Past Ginebra, Crashes Into 5-2 Crowd

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by Lou Reyes

Converge star Juan Gomez de Liano gives a thumbs up to teammate Alec Stockton in their matchup against Ginebra.
Converge star Juan Gomez de Liano gives a thumbs up to teammate Alec Stockton in their matchup against Ginebra. Photo: PBA Images.
 
Converge fans got a treat Friday night, watching Juan Gomez de Liano put on the kind of all-around brilliance that reminds everyone why he was once the most electrifying guard in the amateur ranks. 

Behind his fiery breakout, the FiberXers outgunned Barangay Ginebra, 106-96, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; a win that firmly plants them in the congested battle for second place.

This wasn’t just a good game for Juan GDL; it was a full-blown takeover.

The former UP star torched the Gin Kings for a career-high 32 points, knocking down 13 of his 16 attempts in a clinic of shot-making and efficiency. He didn’t stop there, adding six rebounds and six assists as Converge turned a tight 72-all knot into a fourth-quarter pull-away.

For a young team trying to prove it belongs in the upper tier, this felt like a milestone.

Converge wingman Schonny Winston (8) shoots a jumper versus Ginebra.
Converge wingman Schonny Winston (8) shoots a jumper versus Ginebra. Photo: PBA Images.

“Tonight really showed what we’re capable of. The trust from the coaches means everything,” Juan shared after the win, made even sweeter by the presence of his family in the crowd, cheering on his biggest night as a pro.

But the FiberXers didn’t get the job done on star power alone.

Justin Arana held the paint with a 13-point, 13-board double-double. Deschon Winston came off the bench and lit up the scoreboard with 21 big points, while Justine Baltazar stuffed the stat sheet with 12 markers, seven rebounds, and six dimes. With contributions coming from every direction, Converge looked every bit the young, hungry, fast-paced squad it has been building toward.

Head coach Delta Pineda praised exactly that identity.

“Yung karakter na gusto namin, walang suko, tuloy-tuloy ang takbuhan, laban hanggang dulo. ‘Yun ang lumabas,” said Pineda, whose team has now stacked wins over Titan Ultra, Terrafirma, Phoenix, Blackwater, and now the league’s most popular squad.

The victory pulled Converge into a five-way 5-2 tie with San Miguel, Rain or Shine, NLEX, and Magnolia. TNT remains ahead slightly at 5-1, but the FiberXers are making noise, and fast.

Ginebra's RJ Abarrientos goes up for a layup in traffic.
Ginebra's RJ Abarrientos goes up for a layup in traffic. Photo: PBA Images.

For Ginebra, the struggle continued. The Gin Kings slipped to 2-4, unable to match Converge’s fourth-quarter burst as fatigue and defensive lapses piled up late.

The message from the FiberXers, though, was loud: this young group isn’t just running, they’re running toward the top.

The Scores:

Converge 106 - Gomez de Liano 32, Winston 21, Arana 13, Baltazar 12, Stockton 9, Concepcion 6, Garcia 4, Muyang 3, Javillonar 2, Delos Santos 2, Racal 2, Caralipio 0, Clemente 0, Santos 0, Eguilos 0.

Ginebra 96 - Holt 24, Abarrientos 24, Thompson 10, David 10, J. Aguilar 7, Gray 7, Cu 6, Rosario 6, Torres 2, R. Aguilar 0.

Quarterscores: 26-24, 54-49, 72-72, 106-96