DISASTER AVERTED

The FiberXers almost squandered a 16-point third quarter lead and had to hold their breath after Maverick Ahanmisi let loose a potential game-winning four-pointer with time winding down.

Converge dodged the bullet when Ahanmisi’s long bomb hit the base of the rim before bouncing off as the final buzzer sounded.

“I just think Terrafirma always plays at its best every time we play,” a relieved FiberXers coach Delta Pineda said as his team improved to 2-0 win-loss record in second spot in Group A behind NLEX, which has a clean 3-0 record.

“We have a 16-point lead but they’re able to catch up. Good thing we’re able to lift that Terrafirma curse.”

Justin Arana stepped up big time with import Jalen Hudson having an off night with just two points on 1-of-14 field goal shooting after dropping 20 in Converge’s 105-74 opening-day crushing of Titan Ultra.

Arana scored 30 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the FiberXers.

“We just worked hard for this win. We gave our 100 percent. We really want to bounce back in this conference because of the disappointing previous conference,” said Arana, who shot 14-of-19 from the field.

“It’s a collective effort by the team. This is a team win; everybody contributed, and everyone stepped up so shout out to the team,” he added.

Juan Gomez de Liano finished with 19 points while Justine Baltazar had a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds to go with four assists, two steals and two blocks for Converge. Archie Concepcion and Michael Garcia had 13 and 12 markers, respectively.

The FiberXers went scoreless after taking a 105-96 advantage with 3:24 left in the final canto as the Dyip ignited a furious fightback.

Import Justin Strings scored consecutive jumpers before Juami Tiongson hit a three-pointer to cut Converge’s lead to two, 105-103, with 1:16 left in the game.

Baltazar’s quick reflexes saved the FiberXers from completely wasting their advantage when he swatted away Aljon Mariano’s floater that could’ve tied the game with 26 seconds left.

Tiongson stole the inbound pass of Concepcion that led to Terrafirma’s final attempt to steal the game.

The FiberXers opened a 78-62 with 3:36 left in the third quarter after an Arana layup off a Calvin Abueva assist.

Terrafirma absorbed a second straight heartbreaking loss after a close 100-101 setback to NLEX last Sunday.

Strings saw his 40-point, 11-rebound effort go to waste as the Dyip slipped to a 1-2 slate.

Tiongson scored 17 points and CJ Catapusan ended his night with 11 points.