Just when it looked like Barangay Ginebra San Miguel was all set to blow out the Converge FiberXers at the Batangas City Coliseum, Alec Stockton stepped up to the fore.
Ginebra built a 17-point halftime lead following a dominant second quarter effort from Justin Brownlee. Unfazed, Stockton and the FiberXers were ready to fight back and came out of the halftime break swinging.
Stockton scored 14 straight points, including three three-pointers, over the first five minutes of the third period. He was unguardable during this stretch, hitting shot after shot regardless of who was guarding him.
Converge still trailed by 12, 66-54, following Stockton’s hot streak, but this was enough for them to weather Ginebra’s attempt to blow them out. The rest of his teammates then joined in on the fray, picking up where Stockton left off.
The FiberXers completed a 20-point turnaround during the third quarter that turned a 17-point deficit into a three-point lead, 73-70, heading into the fourth quarter. They extended their lead further in the fourth quarter to complete an impressive 98-91 win.

Stockton finished with 22 points, three three-pointers, and eight assists–all of which were team-highs. He also had six rebounds, a steal, and committed only two turnovers despite handling the ball for most of his 33 minutes on the court.
With this win, Converge has now won three of its last four games in the Commissioners’ Cup. What makes this stretch of theirs even more impressive is that they overcame a lead of at least 17 points in each of their three wins.
The 26-year-old Stockton has played a key role in these games as he continues to cement his place as one of the best guards in the PBA today. In their win over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, he put up a brilliant all-around performance of 18 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. He followed this up with 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in their win versus the PhoenixSuper LPG Fuel Masters.
Not many expected Stockton, the 21st pick of the 2021 PBA Draft, to turn into the star that he has become, but the FiberXers’ belief in him has paid off handsomely. This up-and-coming Converge team is onto something special and this just might be their breakthrough conference. Stockton, Schonny Winston, and Jordan Heading form a dynamic trio of perimeter players that can score with the best of them on any given night.
Stockton’s rise from an unheralded second round pick into a cornerstone of the FiberXers is a testament to his hard work and determination. With him onboard, Converge looks poised to finally make a name for itself in the PBA.
