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Stockton Leads The Charge: Converge Storms Back To Spoil Macau's Debut
Photo credit: PBA
From heartbreak to redemption, the Converge FiberXers kicked off their campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup with a hard-earned victory.
Determined to bounce back from a painful finish last conference, the FiberXers leaned on a huge late-game rally to defeat guest team Macau Black Knights, 102–94, Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Leading the charge was Alec Stockton, who delivered a standout performance with 18 points, six steals, three rebounds, and three assists to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
For Stockton and the FiberXers, the win meant more than just a good start.
“We’re coming from a heartbreaker and we’re happy to get the win to start the Commissioner’s Cup,” Stockton said after the game.
Converge looked in control early, building a 13-point lead, but the Black Knights clawed their way back and even took command late in the game. Macau was still ahead 92–88 in the fourth quarter before the FiberXers flipped the script.
That’s when Converge unleashed a stunning 14–2 closing run to seal the victory. Stockton played a crucial role during that stretch, hitting two key baskets and sealing the game with a clutch steal against Macau guard Damian Chongqui.
Chongqui also had an impressive outing despite the loss, finishing with 19 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, though he committed four turnovers.
Converge head coach Delta Pineda admitted the team had to grind through tough stretches before finding their rhythm.
“We struggled in the first half and early in the third quarter. Good thing everyone stepped up in the fourth,” Pineda said.
Defense ultimately made the difference, according to Stockton.
“We just buckled down on defense. There wasn’t much on offense, but the coaching staff made some adjustments and it worked,” he said.
The FiberXers also got solid support across the roster. Import Kylor Kelley delivered a double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds, while Justine Baltazar added 14 points and 10 boards of his own.
Justin Arana, Jonnel Policarpio, and Archie Concepcion each chipped in at least 13 points to keep Converge within striking distance throughout the game.
New acquisition Mikee Williams saw action only in the fourth quarter but still made his presence felt with three assists, two rebounds, and a steal, despite missing all four of his field goal attempts.
For Macau, returning PBA import Tony Mitchell contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping lead a Black Knights comeback from a 13-point deficit.
But the FiberXers had the final say. Macau went scoreless for more than five minutes in the closing stretch, only breaking the drought with a basket in the dying seconds—too late to stop Converge’s dramatic opening-night win.
After the sting of last conference’s collapse against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the FiberXers now have something new to build on: a winning start and a statement comeback.
Determined to bounce back from a painful finish last conference, the FiberXers leaned on a huge late-game rally to defeat guest team Macau Black Knights, 102–94, Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Leading the charge was Alec Stockton, who delivered a standout performance with 18 points, six steals, three rebounds, and three assists to earn Best Player of the Game honors.
For Stockton and the FiberXers, the win meant more than just a good start.
“We’re coming from a heartbreaker and we’re happy to get the win to start the Commissioner’s Cup,” Stockton said after the game.
Converge looked in control early, building a 13-point lead, but the Black Knights clawed their way back and even took command late in the game. Macau was still ahead 92–88 in the fourth quarter before the FiberXers flipped the script.
That’s when Converge unleashed a stunning 14–2 closing run to seal the victory. Stockton played a crucial role during that stretch, hitting two key baskets and sealing the game with a clutch steal against Macau guard Damian Chongqui.
Chongqui also had an impressive outing despite the loss, finishing with 19 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, though he committed four turnovers.
Converge head coach Delta Pineda admitted the team had to grind through tough stretches before finding their rhythm.
“We struggled in the first half and early in the third quarter. Good thing everyone stepped up in the fourth,” Pineda said.
Defense ultimately made the difference, according to Stockton.
“We just buckled down on defense. There wasn’t much on offense, but the coaching staff made some adjustments and it worked,” he said.
The FiberXers also got solid support across the roster. Import Kylor Kelley delivered a double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds, while Justine Baltazar added 14 points and 10 boards of his own.
Justin Arana, Jonnel Policarpio, and Archie Concepcion each chipped in at least 13 points to keep Converge within striking distance throughout the game.
New acquisition Mikee Williams saw action only in the fourth quarter but still made his presence felt with three assists, two rebounds, and a steal, despite missing all four of his field goal attempts.
For Macau, returning PBA import Tony Mitchell contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, helping lead a Black Knights comeback from a 13-point deficit.
But the FiberXers had the final say. Macau went scoreless for more than five minutes in the closing stretch, only breaking the drought with a basket in the dying seconds—too late to stop Converge’s dramatic opening-night win.
After the sting of last conference’s collapse against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the FiberXers now have something new to build on: a winning start and a statement comeback.
Mar 12, 2026
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