RK Ilagan delivered the killing blows as Converge frustrated NorthPort, 104-98, to notch its second straight win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, July 9.

With the Batang Pier rallying behind Roi Sumang and Arwind Santos in the waning minutes, Ilagan scored five of the FiberXers last seven points — first a tough fadeaway jumper over JM Calma before burying a left wing three-pointer to put the dagger to the heart of NorthPort, 102-94, with 19 seconds left and seal their fourth win in five games.
The spitfire guard out of Tondo, Manila finished with 20 points built on four triples. Jeo Ambohot added 15 points on three treys while Abu Tratter and Justin Arana chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Converge went off to a great start in the contest as they managed to build a pair of sizeable margins, first a 17 point cushion in the first half for a 46-23 lead. NorthPort though managed to erase that lead behind Kevin Ferrer who scored nine of his 21 points in the third frame.
Just when NorthPort cut the deficit to just three, 59-56, the Batang Pier lost focus and frustration started to kick in as they were assessed with two crucial flagrant fouls. It was forward Jamie Malonzo who trooped back to the dugout first with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 after throwing the ball on Converge’s Justin Arana at the 5:05 mark of the third.
Jasper Ayaay was also called for a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 minutes after, allowing the FiberXers to regain momentum and build another 16-point lead, 90-74, early in the fourth.
NorthPort, determined to put an end to the losing spell, slowly climbed back into the game inside the final five minutes, even cutting the lead to its lowest at three, 97-94, after a Sumang trey.
That’s when Ilagan took the matter into his own hands to put the game to rest for the FiberXers.
Santos finished with 20 points while Sumang added 15 as the Batang Pier absorbed their sixth straight loss for a 2-6 slate.