PBA: Converge survives late NLEX scare to enter break with win

Converge FiberXers’ Cameron Clark during a game vs NLEX Road Warriors in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Converge averted a last-gasp collapse to edge past import-less NLEX, 112-110, going into the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup break on a winning note Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The FiberXers were well on their way to victory with a six-point lead before L-Jay Gonzales converted what initially looked like a meaningless four-point shot off a foul by Calvin Abueva with 0.6 seconds left.

Gonzales deliberately missed the bonus free throw, but NLEX, playing without import DeQuan Jones due to a leg injury and opting to go with a replacement, couldn’t get a tip-in that would’ve tied the game and forced overtime.

It was a huge sigh of relief for the FiberXers, who climbed to third in Group A at 5-4 heading into the league’s long break for Gilas Pilipinas’ Fiba World Cup Qualifiers and Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games stints.

NAKAHINGA NG MALALIM

Calvin Abueva with a huge sigh of relief as Converge escapes over NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum. #PBA50 | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/xpGxC2APfY

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 14, 2026

Import Cameron Clark delivered 37 points and 12 rebounds in his second game since replacing Jamaal Franklin, all resulting in victories for Converge.

Justin Arana and rookie Juan Gomez de Liano added 19 points each, with the latter coming up big after NLEX took a 99-97 lead on Robert Bolick’s 4-pointer with just over two minutes remaining.

Gomez de Liano responded with a four-pointer of his own to put Converge back on top, 101-99. He also nailed a medium-range jumper to extend the gap to 105-102.

The Road Warriors had an earlier chance to tie the game, but Bolick couldn’t replicate his game-tying four against TNT by missing another long-range attempt while the FiberXers were up 110-106 in the final seconds.

Gonzales scored 23 points, Bolick dropped 19 and JB Bahio added 16 points and 12 rebounds, but NLEX fell to 7-2, tied for the lead in Group A with San Miguel Beer.