Clark sparks FiberXers past Dyip, ends four-game skid

Cam Clark made an immediate impact in his Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) return as Converge snapped a four-game losing streak with a convincing 120-103 victory over Terrafirma in the Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center.

Brought in to revive the FiberXers’ campaign, Clark provided the spark Converge needed to secure its first win since opening the conference with three consecutive victories.

“Yung participation ng import, nakita naman ho natin,” said coach Delta Pineda. “Especially nung humahabol sila, ang laking bagay po nung contribution ng import natin. Kayo na po magsabi compared po sa mga nakaraan namin.”

The 34-year-old Clark, who previously played in the PBA for guest team Hong Kong Eastern, led Converge with 22 points and five rebounds as the FiberXers took control late in the first quarter.

Clark helped fuel a decisive run that gave Converge a 38-23 advantage, a lead the FiberXers would never surrender.

Terrafirma mounted a fourth-quarter rally and cut the deficit to 10, but Clark responded with a three-pointer that ignited a 10-0 Converge run. His shot put the FiberXers ahead, 101-81, with 8:23 remaining and effectively ended the Dyip’s comeback bid.

The victory lifted Converge to 4-4 and kept the FiberXers in fourth place in Group A.

“Kailangan na kailangan namin talaga 'tong panalo over Terrafirma kasi sila po ang halos ka-tie namin. And, masyado na pong malalim 'yung apat na sunod na talo. Kailangan na ho mag-bounce back,” Pineda said.

Justin Arana powered Converge with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva recorded his second straight double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

“'Yung last conference medyo kumakapa,” Abueva said. “This conference medyo nagkaka-kumpiyansa na. Sinasabi ko nga pag pinasok ako, yung minuto ko tatrabahuhin ko e. That's why, ayun nga, tinrabaho ko naman, I'm happy.”

Juan Gomez de Liano added 13 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, making key contributions during the decisive fourth-quarter run.

Jaydee Tungcab chipped in 13 points, while Justine Baltazar finished with 12 points and three steals.

Converge will try to build on the victory when it faces Group A leader NLEX on Friday, August 14, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Terrafirma failed to follow up its 114-109 upset of NLEX in its previous outing.

Justin Strings led the Dyip with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Juami Tiongson added 21 points. Geo Chiu posted 16 points and 11 rebounds, Joseph Eriobu scored 12, and Maverick Ahanmisi contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.

The loss dropped Terrafirma to 3-5, leaving the Dyip outside the top four in Group A.