No. 2 total decide Juan Gomez de Liaño turns into the primary participant to report a triple-double in his PBA debut because the Delta Pineda-mentored Converge FiberXers open their Philippine Cup marketing campaign in dominant style
MANILA, Philippines – In solely his first PBA sport, Juan Gomez de Liaño wasted no time making a mark for the Converge FiberXers.
The 2025 PBA draft No. 2 total decide grew to become the first-ever participant to report a triple-double in his league debut because the FiberXers made fast work of the Titan Extremely Big Risers, 129-92, on the Ynares Heart Montalban in Rodriguez, Rizal, on Saturday, October 11.
The previous UP Preventing Maroons star Gomez de Liaño — who additionally had stops within the Japan B. League and the Korean Basketball League earlier than making use of for the Season 50 draft — tallied an all-around line of 15 factors, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists as Converge opened the Philippine Cup on a scorching observe.
Like Gomez de Liaño, Converge massive man Justin Arana had a season-opener to recollect as he posted a monster double-double of 28 factors and 22 rebounds on an environment friendly 12-of-17 subject purpose clip.
Schonny Winston (16 factors), Justine Baltazar (15 factors), Alec Stockton (13 factors), and Kevin Racal (12 factors) additionally breached the double-digit scoring territory for the FiberXers, who gifted their new head coach and Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda a victory in his first sport as a PBA coach.
“In the direction of late within the sport, I used to be knowledgeable that I wanted like a pair extra rebounds and assists, so I requested the coaches if I may simply play the sport, and I’m glad they allowed me,” stated Gomez de Liaño of his historic triple-double.
“It’s not a foul strategy to begin my PBA profession, particularly [Governor Delta Pineda’s] first win as a head coach,” he added.
After erupting for a career-high 41 factors in Titan Extremely’s debut, Calvin Abueva completed with simply 2 factors this time round as he solely performed a complete of 4 minutes and 47 seconds earlier than sitting out the remainder of the match as a consequence of a hamstring harm.
Joshua Munzon was the lone double-digit scorer for the Big Risers — who dropped to 1-1 — with a game-high 31 factors on 10-of-17 taking pictures.
In the meantime, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters additionally kicked off their Philippine Cup marketing campaign in model following an exhilarating 96-95 additional time escape of the Meralco Bolts.
Caelen Tiongson was on a mission for the Elasto Painters as he put up a double-double of 23 factors and 10 rebounds within the hard-earned win.
On the opposite aspect, Bong Quinto paced the Bolts within the sorry loss together with his personal double-double of 18 markers and 10 boards as they fell to a 0-2 card.
The Scores
First Recreation
Converge 129 – Arana 28, Winston 16, Gomez de Liano 15, Baltazar 15, Stockton 13, Racal 12, Suerte 8, Garcia 6, Raflores 5, Javillonar 5, Delos Santos 2, Caralipio 2, Monje 2, Santos 0.
Titan 92 – Munzon 31, Cuntapay 9, Melecio 7, Yu 7, Balanza 7, Flores 5, Bringas 4, Ambohot 4, Martinez 4, Sumang 3, Abueva 2, Pessumal 2, Ular 2, Barasi 0.
Quarters: 29-20, 60-41, 91-62, 129-92.
Second Recreation
Rain or Shine 96– Tiongson 23, Datu 11, Norwood 11, Caracut 10, Lemetti 9, Asistio 6, Mamuyac 5, Ildefonso 5, Malonzo 4, Clarito 2, Porter 0, Belga 0, Porter 0.
Meralco 95 – Quinto 18, Cansino 18, Almazan 12, Newsome 12, Banchero 9, Bates 8, Black 6, Caram 5, Hodge 5, Maliksi 2, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 24-28, 50-44, 70-81, 90-90 (reg.), 96-95 (OT).
– Rappler.com
