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

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.

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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.

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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.