Converge FiberXers and Blackwater Bossing remain unbeaten in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup, but they took contrasting paths to victory at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Friday.
Justin Arana erupted for a career-high performance as the FiberXers overwhelmed the Macau Giant Pandas, 149-124, to improve to 3-0 and hand the guest team its third straight loss.
The Bossing later leaned on their defense down the stretch to outlast the Magnolia Hotshots, 89-81, and move to 2-0.
Justin Arana continues stellar conference
Converge repeatedly carved up Macau's defense, piling up a staggering 112 points in the paint as it consistently generated high-percentage looks at the rim. Once again, the bulk of that production came from Arana.
Whether from dump-offs in the dunker spot, post-ups on the low block, or rolls out of the pick-and-roll that even Macau's taller frontcourt could not stop, the 6-foot-7 center delivered another dominant outing, finishing with a career-high 39 points and 12 rebounds on 75% shooting from the field.
This was Arana's second 30-point game in three outings, after scoring 31 in Converge's previous win against Terrafirma, and the 27-year-old is averaging 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through the FiberXers' unbeaten start.
However, Arana knows opposing defenses will eventually key in on him, making Converge's balanced attack even more important as it prepares to face the top teams in Group A.
"We all know that every team scouts us before each game," Arana said.
"That's why we just have to help one another because I'm not the only one who can score. Everyone on this team is capable of putting up points.
"We just have to prepare ourselves and figure out how to break through against the stronger teams. We'll continue taking it one game at a time."
Kentrell Barkley and RK Ilagan find other ways to contribute
Blackwater's Kentrell Barkley and RK Ilagan found ways to impact the scoreboard even when their shots were not falling, as Blackwater secured its second victory of the conference.
Magnolia clearly made Barkley the focal point of its defensive game plan after he erupted for 17 first-quarter points against Rain or Shine on his way to a 29-point triple-double last Saturday. The Hotshots took away his perimeter looks and stayed disciplined on help defense to limit both his scoring and playmaking.
The former Indonesian Basketball League MVP responded by staying aggressive, repeatedly attacking the rim and challenging Magnolia's interior defense to post 26 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists on 60.4 TS%, while going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Ilagan could not replicate his shooting display he had against Rain or Shine, when he scored 22 points on 79.9 TS%.
His outside shot not did not fall against Magnolia, going just 1-for-6 from beyond the three- and four-point lines, but he still found ways to leave his mark offensively.
The Tondo native showcased his versatile scoring package by attacking off the dribble and converting inside the arc, while making his presence felt defensively despite giving up size. He finished with 20 points on 52.1 TS%, including a 6-for-11 clip from two-point range.
Behind Barkley and Ilagan, Blackwater's 2-0 start has reinforced head coach Pat Aquino's belief in what the Bossing are building.
"I think it's about time people start paying attention to Blackwater," Aquino said. "That's our motto right now. We try to compete with everybody, and with the players buying into what we're doing, I think we'll keep preparing the right way every game.
"I'm happy because my players are having fun."
What's up with Jalen Hudson?
Jalen Hudson's first three games with Converge have been nothing like the performances that PBA fans came to know during his previous stint in the league.
During his stint with TNT in the 2022-23 Governors' Cup, the 6-foot-6 wing thrived as a three-level scorer and primary shot creator, averaging 33.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on 63.7 TS% while leading the Tropang 5G to a 5-1 record.
That stretch featured a 56-point explosion, ironically against Converge, before he eventually gave way to now three-time PBA champion Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
In this conference, however, Hudson has settled into a different role.
Converge has raced to a 3-0 start behind its balanced attack, but the former NBA G League standout is averaging just 11.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, with the coaching staff acknowledging he is yet to find his rhythm.
"Looks like you guys noticed something, huh," head coach Delta Pineda said in jest when asked about Hudson.
"Did you notice it? We noticed it too."
Pineda said Hudson simply needed more time to settle into Converge's system, and the team had not considered making a change.
"No, not at this point," Pineda said.
"I think he just needs to be given a chance, an opportunity. I told him that we feel he's putting too much pressure on himself out there on the court."
The challenge for Hudson is to rediscover his offensive rhythm before Converge closes out the first round against San Miguel, TNT, and NLEX.