Stockton scatters season-high 33 points as FiberXers rout Batang Pier

MANILA, Philippines -- Following a horrendous outing in their previous game, Converge’s Alec Stockton bounced back with a season-high 33 points to tow the FiberXers past the NorthPort Batang Pier, 111-92, in their PBA Philippine Cup matchup.

Stockton, who managed just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting in their previous 85-66 defeat to Barangay Ginebra, shot the lights out against the Batang Pier Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

He made 11 of his 21 shots, including 5-of-9 from 3-point territory.

This thus brought back Converge to the win column while sending NorthPort to their fifth straight defeat.

“For me, it's not really about the points. I'm just glad my shots were going in today and I was getting my rhythm,” Stockton said after the game.

“Pero for us it's really just gutting it out, making sure we come out with the win. Obviously, I needed a bounce-back from that game against Ginebra. I played really bad. So I'm just grateful we got the W today,” he added.

The Batang Pier were leading by three points, 19-16, at the end of the first quarter.

Stockton then started to wax hot, scoring 13 points in the second frame, as Converge turned things around and took a 50-40 advantage at the half.

With momentum entirely on their side, the FiberXers took full control and led by as much as 23 points, 107-84, after a split from the line by Justin Arana.

“It's a good bounce-back win for us. Somehow, bumalik kami on how we want to play our game, specifically on defense,” Converge head coach Franco Atienza said.

“I think the average of NorthPort, if I'm not mistaken, is 101, I think. So limiting them to 92, malaking bagay yun. And what more is yung scoring output namin from 66 points, and 30%, ngayon we had 100 plus, and 50%. So malaking adjustment yun,” he added.

Converge thus rose to 5-3 this season while NorthPort dropped to 1-5.

The FiberXers will take on the NLEX Road Warriors next Friday, while the Batang Pier will try to arrest their skid against the undefeated Magnolia Hotshots next Saturday.