Converge’s Alec Stockton. PBA Images

MANILA (UPDATED) – Alec Stockton’s clutch game proved to be the difference for Converge as it overcame Meralco, 105-97, in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A stepback trey, a jumper, and a pair of freebies from the young gunner in the last two minutes propelled the FiberXers over the Bolts to inch closer to their goal of entering the quarterfinals.

The Bolts still had several tries from the arc late in the ballgame, courtesy of CJ Cansino, Chris Banchero, and Allen Durham, but none of those were successful as the FiberXers got away with their fifth win in nine games, with debuting Jalen Jones punctuating it with a powerful jam in the end.

But before the triumph, they squandered a 15-point lead in the third frame, 73-58, as the Bolts eventually tied at 77-apiece, capped by back-to-back treys from Anjo Caram and Banchero.

There were a total of 24 lead changes and eight deadlocks in the game.

Despite the tightly contested match, Converge mentor Franco Atienza was happy to see an intense-filled action at the capital.

“Whenever you play a close game, well if given a choice, whether to play a blowout game on our favor or a close game, but assured of win, we would choose the close game because that will build character,” said Atienza during the postgame interview.

“Kasi you can replicate all the other scenarios in practice, e. One thing that you cannot replicate is the pressure,” he went on.

Converge import Jones led all scorers with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while late-game hero Stockton had 27 markers, 12 of those in the fourth, to go along with 11 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Meralco reinforcement Durham had a 25-piece himself and rookie Cansino had a fine game with 21 markers.

The Bolts now have a 6-3 win-loss slate.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 105 – Jones 32, Stockton 27, Arana 12, Winston 8, Caralipio 8, Delos Santos 7, Santos 6, Ambohot 3, Nieto 2, Melecio 0, Andrade 0, Vigan-Fleming 0, Fornilos 0

MERALCO 97 – Durham 25, Cansino 21, Newsome 14, Quinto 12, Banchero 10, Caram 6, Hodge 5, Bates 2, Almazan 2, Jose 0, Mendoza 0, Rios 0

QUARTERS:   29-30, 51-53, 79-77, 105-97