Games today:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

5 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Magnolia

7:30 p.m. — Barangay Ginebra vs Terrafirma

Cheick Diallo submitted monster numbers in carrying Converge back into the win column with a 102-91 decision over NLEX in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The workhorse reinforcement dropped 37 points on an efficient 15-of-24 field goal shooting while grabbing 18 rebounds for the FiberXers’ third win in five starts.

Converge broke out in the second quarter, building a 30-18 lead and sustained it throughout the game.

“We’re so happy for this win,” FiberXers coach Franco Atienza said after his squad bounced back from a 101-108 loss to NorthPort the last time out.

“Whenever you’re coming off a loss, it gives a bitter taste in your mouth. We just want to go back to do what we’re doing right and review where we can improve. It just so happened that we’re able to play together defensively and of course, run our system on offense,” he added.

Diallo had plenty of help from the local crew with Alec Stockton chipping in 16 points and Jordan Heading putting up a double-double of 14 points and 11 assists to go with four rebounds.

King Caralipio scored 10 while Schonny Winston added eight. Top pick Justine Baltazar remained cold with just four points on 2-of-6 shooting and pulled down seven boards in 23 minutes of action for the FiberXers.

The Road Warriors slid to an even 3-3 mark.

Michael Watkins saw his 36 points and 23 rebounds go down the drain for NLEX. Robert Bolick got 26 markers but had little help from other locals with Tony Semerad tallying just eight points.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine aims to extend its win streak to three against a Magnolia side raring to check a slide in today’s curtain-raiser at 5 p.m.

The Elasto Painters parade a 2-1 slate, beating Hong Kong Eastern and defending champion San Miguel Beer after an opening-day setback against Meralco.

“Hopefully, before the holiday break will get more wins so we’ll have a merrier Christmas,” Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said.

“We are targeting a certain number of wins before the Christmas break,” added Guiao, whose team will close the year against Terrafirma on Sunday.

While Rain or Shine enjoys a hot run, the Hotshots have lost three in a row in four starts.

Veteran guard Paul Lee and Zav Lucero are expected to suit up after missing games due to injuries, Lee was out for two games due to a rib contusion while Lucero sat out Magnolia’s game last week to rest some knee issues.

On the other hand, Barangay Ginebra seeks to bounce back from a 90-93 setback against Hong Kong last Sunday as it takes on winless Terrafirma at 7:30 p.m.

The Gin Kings carry a 2-1 card while the Dyip are winless in five starts.

The scores:

CONVERGE (102) — Diallo 37, Stockton 16, Heading 14, Caralipio 10, Winston 8, Racal 6, Baltazar 4, Arana 4, Santos 3, Delos Santos 0, Cabagnot 0, Nieto 0.

NLEX (91) — Watkins 36, Bolick 26, Semerad 8, Alas 7, Amer 4, Torres 4, Valdez 2, Rodger 2, Herndon 2, Bahio 0, Policarpio 0.

Quarters: 28-18, 52-44, 77-72, 102-91.