The Converge FiberXers just won’t go away.

After dropping the first two games of their best-of-five quarterfinal series in the 2024 PBA Governor’s Cup against the San Miguel Beermen, Converge has rallied back with consecutive wins to set up a winner-take-all Game 5.

The FiberXers pulled away in the third quarter, turning a four-point halftime deficit into a nine-point lead heading into the final period. Schonny Winston, the ninth overall pick of the 2023 PBA Draft, spearheaded Converge’s surge, scoring 16 of his team-high 26 points in that quarter alone. The 6’4 guard’s impact extended beyond scoring, as he contributed six rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block in 40 minutes of action.

Justin Arana also delivered a strong performance for the FiberXers, tallying 25 points on 16 shots, along with eight rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block while the import Jalen Jones added 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals. Alec Stockton, Converge’s hero in Game 3, hit only five of his 17 field goal attempts, but still found other ways to contribute and finished with 16 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and a steal.

Reserve Bryan Santos played a key role in the win as well, hitting two three-pointers late in the fourth quarter to keep the Beermen at bay. 

The FiberXers’ downhill style has visibly troubled San Miguel, whose roster, while more accomplished, is made up of older players who seem to struggle with this pace.

Another compelling storyline in this series is the presence of Converge guard Alex Cabagnot. The 41-year-old veteran won nine championships with the Beermen over the past decade before being traded in 2021 and is now playing a crucial role in bringing out the best in Converge’s young roster.

Cabagnot’s familiarity with his longtime San Miguel teammates—June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross, who remain key players for the Beermen—gives him a distinct edge in this series. His deep understanding of their tendencies has been invaluable, and his overall presence has galvanized this up-and-coming FiberXers team.

No one expected Converge to win this series against San Miguel, even with both teams finishing the eliminations with identical 6-4 records. Yet, the FiberXers now find themselves just one win away from crashing into the semifinals for the first time in their brief two-year existence. Regardless of the outcome in Game 5, this Governor’s Cup has been a major breakthrough, as Converge has proved that they can compete with the league’s elite.

With 2024 PBA Draft top pick Justine Baltazar set to join the team after the ongoing MPBL season, the future looks even brighter for the FiberXers. This gutsy, young squad is here for the long haul, and it is unquestionable that the best is yet to come.