CONNECTION RESTORED

“We’ve seen the participation of our import, especially when they (Terrafirma) were trying to come back. Our import gave us a huge contribution. I think all of you can see the difference from our past imports,” said a relieved FiberXers head coach Delta Pineda.

Clark, who has previously suited up for NLEX and San Miguel Beer, replaced Jamaal Franklin following an ineffective outing in their last three games. Franklin himself was a replacement for original import Jalen Hudson.

The victory also separated Converge from the Dyip as it climbed to solo fourth with an even 4-4 win-loss record.

“Right now, we really need this win against Terrafirma because we’re tied with them and we’re already in too deep after four straight losses. We really need to bounce back,” Pineda added.

Justin Arana had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds while veteran forward Calvin Abueva displayed vintage form 17 markers, 11 boards, three assists and a block for the FiberXers.

“Last conference, I was still adjusting. I think I’m slowly regaining my confidence this conference. As I said, once I get fielded in, I’ll work for my minutes,” said Abueva, who also gave Terrafirma import Justin Strings a hard time with his stingy defense.

Converge connected early as it outscored the Dyip, 38-23, in the first quarter. The FiberXers kept their safe distance the rest of the way.

Arana pushed Converge to its biggest separation at 29 off a layup from a Mike Garcia assist for an 85-56 advantage with 7:47 left in the third period.

Strings finished with 28 points albeit being limited to just nine in the first half. He added 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block for Terrafirma, which failed to capitalize on the momentum of its upset over erstwhile unbeaten NLEX to fall to a 3-5 card.

Juami Tiongson had 21 points and Geo Chiu finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer shoots for a third straight win and a firmer foothold in the top four spot in Group A against cellar-dweller Titan Ultra today at the same Antipolo venue.

The Beermen eye a repeat of their first-round rout of the Giant Risers in their 5:15 p.m. tussle.

San Miguel is coming off back-to-back victories for a 6-2 slate in second spot behind NLEX (6-1), which is playing defending champion TNT as of press time.

Although already establishing a clear path to the quarterfinals, Beermen head coach Leo Austria wants to see everyone in his team, from the starters to the last man on the bench, contributing.

“Going to the playoffs we have to develop our execution because the other teams in the other bracket are really different,” said Austria following his Beermen’s 131-79 domination of Macau last Saturday.

San Miguel dealt Titan a 143-105 spanking on 29 July, when San Miguel exploded for a league-record single quarter-high 49 points in the third period to turn the game into a one-sided match.

Then came the rout over the Giant Pandas, which actually followed the Beermen’s 126-114 victory over Converge four days earlier with Austria letting all of his reserves see more action.

Titan Ultra, on the other hand, is already in a must-win situation with its 2-6 slate at the bottom, tied with Macau.

The Giant Risers are reeling from an 80-114 defeat at the hands of the Tropang 5G last Saturday.

In the other match, Phoenix tries to regain the solo lead in Group B and get back on the winning track in the 7:30 p.m. rematch against Magnolia.

Despite losing two of their last three games, the Fuel Masters remain on top of the standings tied with Rain or Shine, parading identical 4-2 cards.

Phoenix seeks a repeat of its 98-86 win over the Hotshots in the conference opener.

Magnolia sports a 3-3 card in third to fourth in a logjam with Blackwater.