By REYNALD MAGALLON Alec Stockton committed two huge blunders in a do-or-die game: first, when he almost got thrown out of the game when he elbowed Kris Rosales in the first quarter; and second, when he fouled Marcio Lassiter while taking a trey in the waning seconds. He knew he had to redeem himself and made sure to do it in an emphatic fashion. Stockton drilled a tough fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arms of CJ Perez at the buzzer as Converge lived to fight for another day with a 114-112 victory over San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Monday, Sept.
30, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With the game tied 112-all and with the FiberXers’ tournament lives on the line, Stockton showed guts and attacked the defense of Perez before draining the difficult shot that capped Converge’s comeback from a 21-point deficit entering the final frame. Stockton fired 20 points that came with eight assists and seven rebounds while Justin Arana, despite playing through a hyperextended knee, led the way in scoring with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Import Jalen Jones added 17 points and 14 rebounds while the team also got timely contributions from Bryan Santos, who fired four triples during the FiberXers’ 48-point explosion in the fourth quarter, had 15. Converge not only staved off elimination and cut the series deficit to 1-2 but has also notched its first playoff win after losing its first six – five of which at the hands of the Beermen and inclu.