Converge finally cleared the quarterfinal hurdle in the PBA Governors' Cup, beating Rain or Shine 120-109 in Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to take the series 3-1 and reach the semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
The FiberXers had failed in seven previous attempts to get past the Last-8. This time they closed out a race-to-three series they had trailed 0-1, answering a 120-124 loss in the opener with wins of 130-125 in Game 2 and 105-89 in Game 3.
Converge semifinals berth sets up NLEX series
The reward is a semifinal against NLEX in another race-to-three series, where a first finals appearance is on the line for coach Delta Pineda's charges. Converge enters that series having finally converted a quarterfinal appearance into a longer campaign.
Mikey Williams and Cameron Clark close it out
Mikey Williams scored 17 points in his most explosive showing of the series, hitting two three-pointers that triggered a decisive 11-2 run inside the final 3:04. Cameron Clark then added a basket and two pivotal free throws to put the game away.
Clark finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals. Converge had led by 17 before Rain or Shine, the more experienced side, pulled the game into a grind-out finish.
"Puso. In the crucial situation we didn't give up," Pineda said after the physical match.
San Miguel stays alive against Ginebra
In the other quarterfinal, San Miguel Beer erased a 17-point deficit to beat Barangay Ginebra 108-102 in Game 4 and level that series at 2-2. It followed a 101-98 win earlier in the week that kept the Beermen alive.
The reigning Philippine Cup champions had lost the first two games of the race-to-three contest. Game 5 is set for Tuesday, with San Miguel now in position for a reverse sweep.
"It's too early for us to go home, we wanted to force a decider," San Miguel veteran Chris Ross said.
Analysis: what the breakthrough changes for Converge
Seven failed quarterfinal trips made the Last-8 the defining limit of this franchise's PBA record. Beating a more experienced Rain or Shine side after surrendering a 17-point lead says something about how the FiberXers handled pressure, though one close-out game is thin evidence for a permanent shift.
What to watch
Converge's semifinal against NLEX will show whether the first quarterfinal breakthrough changes how the team manages a longer series. San Miguel and Ginebra settle their tie in a sudden-death Game 5 on Tuesday.
The original report on these results was published by philstar.com.
