By REYNALD MAGALLON
From the thought that he was already done for good in the game after an F2 infraction, then suddenly returning after it got downgraded to F1, to almost costing the game with an ill-advised foul in the waning seconds, and then emerging as the hero again with the game-winner.
It had been a wild roller coaster of emotions for Alec Stockton in just a span of a 48-minute game and it was only understandable for him, for a moment, to be speechless during the post-game press conference after Converge staved off elimination with a 114-112 victory over San Miguel in Game 3.
When he finally got it together, he could only heave a sigh of relief.
“I thought it was over for me,” commented Stockton who was about to go hit the showers early after being initially assessed with flagrant foul penalty 2 when he elbowed SMB’s Kris Rosales late in the opening frame.
Correction to the announcement, however, was made a few minutes after and the call on him was downgraded to F1, which, instead of getting thrown out of the game, would only force him to sit out the game for three minutes.
“Shout out to the referees, man, for changing the call. I wouldn’t be here,” he chuckled.
On a more serious note, Stockton made sure to not waste his second chance in the game and finished with all-around numbers of 20 points, eight assists and seven rebounds.
He also hit the go-ahead jumper over the outstretched arms of CJ Perez to beat the buzzer and also make up for his own near-blunder one possession prior.
With Converge up by three, 112-109, he carelessly fouled Marcio Lassiter while taking a triple. The SMB gunner coolly sank the free throws to tie the game, 112-all.
“We were up by three, I almost cost us the game, I knew I had to do something. I’m just glad I made the shot. We got another chance on Friday,” said Stockton as Converge not only forced a Game 4 but also notched the franchise’s first playoff win.
The FiberXers also came back from a huge 25-point deficit in the final frame behind their 48-point fourth quarter explosion.
“Coach told us if we’re gonna go down in the game, we wanna go down swinging. We had nothing to lose, we’re done 0-2. and we just kept fighting. We just didn’t give up whatever got thrown into our way,” he added.
