Watch out for Converge

Converge came close to making it to the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals and it took a monster performance from eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to repulse the FiberXers' spirited charge in the Game Five clincher of San Miguel Beer's 109-105 quarterfinal win at the Ynares Center, Antipolo, last Sunday.

- By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

Fajardo delivered 40 points and 24 rebounds to douse Converge's hopes of barging into the Final Four.

With 7:33 left, Converge was up, 99-91, then San Miguel unloaded 10 straight points to spark an 18-6 closer. The FiberXers shot two of 12 in that stretch, never went to the line and committed two turnovers in the final 25 seconds. Jalen Jones was blanked in the last 12 minutes while Fajardo and EJ Anosike combined for 13 to finish off Converge.

The meltdown wasn't unexpected. Converge is the PBA's youngest team with an average age of 27.6 years even if Alex Cabagnot, 41, is in the lineup. San Miguel, averaging 32.4, is the third oldest squad after Barangay Ginebra (32.7) and TNT (32.6). The lack of experience showed in the pressure-packed Game 5.