Regile Ilagan came up with clutch conversions anew as Converge FiberXers prevailed over NorthPort Batang Pier, 104-98, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing their double-digit lead trimmed to 94-97 via consecutive scores from Batang Pier’s Shej Roi Sumang, Ilagan came up with a jumper and a three-pointer for a 102-94 FiberXers lead with 19 seconds left.
Sumang trimmed it to 96-102 for the Batang Pier with a layup but the FiberXers widened the lead anew to 104-96 on a fastbreak layup by rookie Tyrus Hill with eight seconds remaining.
Ilagan finished the match with 20 points, including four three-point conversions, while Jeo Ambohot added 15 markers as the FiberXers scored back-to-back victory to improve to 4-5.
Abu Tratter chipped in 14 markers, while rookie Justin Arana and Hill contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the FiberXers, which were still without injured star Jeron Teng.
Kevin Ferrer tallied 21 points, including seven three-point conversions, Arwind Santos had double-double 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Sumang had 15 as the Batang Pier dropped to 2-6.
