Clark makes instant impact as FiberXers snap four-game skid

08-12 02:15

Converge finally found the spark it had been searching for—and it came from a familiar face.

Cam Clark made an immediate impact in his PBA return, leading the FiberXers to a 120-103 victory over Terrafirma on Tuesday at the Ynares Center and putting an end to a four-game losing streak in the Governors’ Cup.

After opening the conference with three straight wins, Converge had watched its promising start unravel. The arrival of Clark, however, gave the FiberXers a much-needed boost.

The 34-year-old veteran, who previously played for guest team Hong Kong Eastern, finished with 22 points and five rebounds and helped Converge establish control late in the opening quarter.

The FiberXers surged ahead, 38-23, and never surrendered the lead.

Terrafirma tried to make things interesting in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 10 and briefly threatening to turn the game around.

Clark quickly shut down the comeback.

He buried a three-pointer to ignite a 10-0 Converge run, putting the FiberXers up 101-81 with 8:23 left and restoring a comfortable cushion.

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

The win moved Converge back 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,” Pineda said. “And, masyado na pong malalim 'yung apat na sunod na talo. Kailangan na ho mag-bounce back.”

Justin Arana added 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva continued his strong play with 17 points and 11 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double.

Juan Gomez de Liano provided another important piece with 13 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, while Jaydee Tungcab also scored 13. Justine Baltazar finished with 12 points and three steals.

For Terrafirma, the defeat was a disappointing follow-up to its biggest win of the conference—a 114-109 upset of previously unbeaten NLEX.

Justin Strings again carried much of the offensive load with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Juami Tiongson added 21 points, while Geo Chiu had 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Joseph Eriobu scored 12 points and Maverick Ahanmisi contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, but the Dyip could not withstand Converge’s sustained pressure.

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

Converge now has a chance to make an even bigger statement when it faces group leader NLEX on Friday, August 14, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.