Clark restores order as Hong Kong Eastern fends off Converge for 2-0 start
MANILA, Philippines – A huge double-double effort by Cameron Clark propelled Hong Kong Eastern to a 117-106 win over Converge in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, November 29.
Clark chalked up 39 points and 15 rebounds with 2 blocks as the guest team held off the FiberXers’ fourth-quarter comeback to stay unbeaten in two games.
No stranger to PBA play after reinforcing NLEX and San Miguel in the past, Clark scored 9 points in a 16-8 finishing run Eastern used to hold off Converge, which got within 98-101 behind former NBA player Cheick Diallo.
“I’m just trying to lead by example. I’ve been here a couple of times,” said Clark. “My guys are new to this, but they’re going to play hard.”
“As long as I lead by example, everybody’s going to follow in line. I feel like we are a great group.”
Eastern still held a 101-91 lead before the FiberXers pulled within striking distance thanks to a personal 7-0 run by Diallo — a stretch in which Clark was watching from the bench.
But Clark restored order, scoring back-to-back buckets immediately after returning to the floor and draining a back-breaking three-pointer that gave Eastern a 111-102 lead with 2:10 minutes remaining.
Consecutive baskets by Jordan Heading and Schonny Winston cut the Converge deficit to 106-111, but Clark, Kobey Lam, and Glen Yang took turns in a 6-0 blitz that sealed the deal.
“I just try to do whatever I need to do to win. I don’t really just look at scoring,” said Clark. “I have to rebound and play defense also. It’s not just scoring.“
Hayden Blankley also starred for Eastern with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Yang and Lam put up 19 and 11 points, respectively.
Steve Guinchard added 11 points in the win, including a pair of four-pointers.
The loss put to waste a monster performance by Diallo, who exploded for 43 points on an ultra-efficient 18-of-22 (81.8%) shooting to go with 9 rebounds.
Alec Stockton produced 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals, Heading had 13 points and 4 assists, while Winston netted 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the FiberXers, who fell to 1-1.
The Scores
Hong Kong Eastern 117 – Clark 39, Blankley 21, Yang 19, Guinchard 14, Lam 11, Cheung 4, Cao 3, Chan 2, Pok 2, Xu.
Converge 106 – Diallo 43, Stockton 18, Heading 13, Winston 12, Arana 10, Racal 5, Nieto 5, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0, Javillonar 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 58-55, 91-83, 117-106.
– Rappler.com