For the Converge FiberXers, the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup has been marked by ups and downs. A strong start to the conference with a victory over the guest team Macau Black Bears was followed by five straight losses. Inconsistent play and import issues were among the recurring themes through this slump and the FiberXers decided to stick to their guns (initially at least) and they may be turning a corner.
Converge played the role of giant killer against the vaunted TNT Tropang 5G, relying on some steady outside shooting to take down the defending Commissioner’s Cup champions. The rebounding and free throw advantages were on the side of the Tropang 5G but the 3-point shot can be a great equalizer and in this case, even the deciding factor.
The FiberXers then replaced import Kylor Kelley with Donovan Smith and he made quite the introduction against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
Smith asserted himself on both ends of the floor, taking advantage of the absence of James Dickey III by concentrating on an interior game that left the Fuel Masters asking questions and putting them all the more in a tricky spot with a few games left in the preliminary round.
The potential is there for Converge, who have arguably the best lineup in terms of youth and versatility. We saw that against Phoenix, where Justine Baltazar (15 points and 14 rebounds), Alec Stockton (16 points), Justin Arana (13 points, nine rebounds, and five assists), and Juan Gomez De Liano (13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists) showed out and contributed to the blowout victory. When things are going well for the FiberXers, the ball movement leads to a ton of opportunities on the offensive end. Rebounding isn’t also an issue when the team is engaged as the players are more than eager to go on fastbreak opportunities.
Fortunately for Converge, they don’t play until the calendar turns to May. That should give them ample time to further integrate Smith into the squad. The FiberXers upcoming matchups against the NLEX Road Warriors and the Blackwater Bossing won’t be cakewalks as the former will be looking to improve on their seeding, while the latter will be eager to end their campaign on a high note.
The Converge FiberXers would like to achieve both objectives themselves, as they not only want to make the postseason of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, but they also want to enter the playoffs with momentum to make it a long run and not a quick trip. All the pieces are starting to fit, as evidenced by their recent convincing victories and the 3-1 record they have in their last four games. It’s a great step forward and they will need to build on it, lest they want to take two steps back and let this opportunity slip away.
