MANILA, Philippines – Guest team Bay Area kept its immaculate record in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup untainted after surviving a major scare from a gritty Converge side, 106-100, at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, October 7.

The FiberXers sliced a 22-point deficit to just two possessions in the final quarter, but the Dragons held on to the victory as they seized solo lead in the standings with a 4-0 slate.

Former NBA player Myles Powell finished with 33 points – including a pair of clutch free throws in the dying seconds that slammed the door on Converge – on top of 8 rebounds and 2 steals to lead Bay Area.

Maverick Ahanmisi waxed hot in the fourth quarter, scoring all of his 12 points in the period – all from beyond the arc – as the FiberXers trailed 96-101 with less than four minutes remaining.

After Glenn Yang gave the Dragons an eight-point lead, RK Ilagan and import Quincy Miller sank back-to-back buckets to pull Converge within 4 points, 100-104.

But the FiberXers bungled their chances at inching closer, with Ahanmisi and Miller missing their triples, as Powell sealed the win with two foul shots to cap a sterling four-game stretch before Bay Area switches imports.

Powell will be temporarily replaced by NBA veteran Andrew Nicholson starting on Sunday against Barangay Ginebra at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Yang backstopped Powell with 23 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Zhu Songwei put up 20 points and 5 rebounds.

Miller dominated with 38 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks, but those numbers were not enough as Converge absorbed its second straight loss for a 1-2 card.

Jeron Teng and Allyn Bulanadi fired 11 points each in the losing effort.

The Scores

Bay Area 106 – Powell 33, Yang 23, Zhu 20, Blankley 10, Reid 7, Lam 6, Liu 4, Ju 3, Zheng 0, Liang 0.

Converge 100 – Miller 38, Ahanmisi 12, Teng 11, Bulanadi 11, Arana 7, Tratter 7, Ilagan 7, Racal 3, Melecio 2, Stockton 2, Murrell 0, Hill 0, Ambohot 0.

Quarters: 28-18, 57-41, 88-69, 106-100.

– Rappler.com