Converge FiberXers Jordan Heading during a game against Phoenix Fuel Masters during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Rookie Jordan Heading had full numbers as Converge rejected Phoenix’s latest surprise bid, 116-105, on Thursday for its first straight victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Showing why he was a huge pickup after his rights were revoked at Terrafirma, Heading finished with 21 points, three rebounds, six assists and five steals to help the FiberXers climb to a 4-2 record. wins-losses in the rankings.
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READ: Jordan Heading finally headed to the PBA to play for Converge
Import Cheick Diallo was also key, as was Bryan Santos and No. 1 overall pick Justine Baltazar in the win that came before Converge traveled to Batangas City for a key clash with crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra, Saturday.
Diallo also scored 21 points to go with 16 rebounds even as Baltazar had six points and eight of his 13 rebounds on the offensive glass.
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Baltazar played nearly 25 minutes as he slowly fits into the FiberXers’ rotation after a grueling stint in MPBL that saw him lead Pampanga to a second straight crown.
READ: PBA: Converge shatters its own expectations and raises the goal bar
Santos scored eight of its 16 points in the third where Converge turned things around from a 54-48 halftime deficit.
Phoenix fell to 1-5 as it couldn’t build on Tuesday’s shock win over NorthPort that ended the latter’s perfect start to the midseason tournament.
The Fuel Masters, who don’t play until Jan. 7 against winless Terrafirma Dyip in a battle of deep teams, got 30 points and 18 rebounds from import Donovan Smith.
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