CONVERGE FiberXers ended their eight-game losing skid in style, beating Meralco Bolts, 104-99, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Bryan Santos, Alec Stockton and Justine Arana combined for 60 points for theAldin Ayo-mentored FiberXers

Santos fired 22 points, on 7-of-12 shooting from the field, and five rebounds in 40 minutes of action.

Stockton added 20 points and four rebounds while Arana contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the FiberXers’ first victory.

Converge also got 14 points and seven rebounds from Deschon Winston and 10 points, four rebounds and four assists from John Delos Santos.

Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero led Meralco in scoring for coach Luigi Trillo.

Newsome tallied 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the floor, five assists and three rebounds in 33 minutes of action.

Banchero added 20 points and three assists, while Aaron Black had 19 points and six assists in the Bolts’ losing effort.

Cliff Hodge chipped in 10 points and nine rebounds.

Converge battled back in the third period as they outscored Meralco, 35-24, to tie the score at 77 at the end of the quarter.

Converge coach Aldin Ayo was happy to see Santos delivered for the FiberXers.

“Actually Meralco ang kukuha dito (Santos) kasi nasa 3×3 ito ng Meralco. And they (Bolts) already had plans with him,” Ayo said in an interview posted at the official PBA website.

“Ayaw niyang pumunta sa akin kasi nakausap na siya ng Meralco na papapirmahin siya. Pero sabi ko hindi, kami ang kukuha sa iyo. Yan ang kuwento kung bakit nandito ngayon ito.”

“I’ve been telling him that he can play, he can shoot. As long as he does his part, I’m going to give him the green light to shoot.”

The scores:

Converge (104) — Santos 22, Stockton 20, Arana 18, Winston 14, Delos Santos 10, Caralipio 9, Maagdenberg 4, Melecio 4, Nieto 2, Fleming 1, Fornilos 0
Meralco (99) — Newsome 25, Banchero 20, Black 19, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Caram 6, Bates 5, Pasaol 5, Rios 0, Pascual 0, Maliski 0, Torres 0
Quarterscores: 23-25, 42-53, 77-77, 104-99.

Games Wednesday:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
4:30 p.m. Northport vs. Terrafirma
7:30 p.m. TNT vs. Phoenix