EJ Anosike put up a dominant show as San Miguel fended off a hard-fighting Converge, 107-100, to move on the cusp of a possible semifinals return in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Anosike looked a lot more comfortable as compared to his first game in Game 1 and erupted for 41 points – 17 of which he dropped in the third quarter where the Beermen seized control before shrugging off another late fightback from FiberXers.

SMB took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series with the chance to go for a sweep set in Game 3 on Monday, Sept. 30.

Anosike also hauled down nine rebounds and dished out five assists while June Mar Fajardo posted another double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. 

Kris Rosales also had eight of his 11 points in the second half while CJ Perez orchestrated the assault with eight assists on top of his 10 points.

The Beermen actually trailed for the majority of the first half before finally getting their offensive rhythm going in the third frame. SMB opened a 76-67 lead late in the third frame and even padded it at the biggest at 12, 95-83, early in the payoff period.

Converge, though, uncorked a 13-2 spurt to cut the lead down to just one, 97-96 with 3:04 left behind the combined efforts of import Jalen Jones and Bryan Santos.

A Marcio Lassiter trey, however, restored order for the Beermen, triggering a 10-4 finishing kick that put the game to rest.

Jones paced Converge with a double-double of 36 points and 12 rebounds while Alec Stockton bounced back from a lackluster showing in the series opener with 14 points on top of four steals and a block.

Santos and Justin Arana had 12 apiece but the latter failed to finish the contest due to an injury.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 107 – Anosike 41, Fajardo 15, Rosales 11, Perez 10, Lassiter 9, Romeo 8, Trollano 7, Cruz 6, Enciso 0, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Ross 0, Manuel 0.

CONVERGE 100 – Jones 36, Stockton 14, Arana 12, Santos 12, Winston 8, Andrade 8, Ambohot 4, Delos Santos 4, Cabagnot 2, Melecio 0, Caralipio 0.

QUARTERS : 23-25, 48-51, 78-72, 107-100