Converge eyes semifinals after De Liaño selection
Juan Gomez de Liaño couldn’t ask for a better situation after being selected by Converge as the No. 2 overall pick in the PBA Rookie Draft over the weekend.
“I love their plan for me,” Gomez de Liaño said. “We’re all on the same page and our goal is to win a championship.”
The FiberXers were able to select the well-traveled guard after acquiring the second pick originally owned by the Phoenix Fuel Masters days before the proceedings. The move put Gomez de Liaño in a situation of being with a legitimate contender instead of going through a rebuilding process.
Converge already has the front-line duo of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana while also boasting a talented backcourt in Alec Stockton, coming off his best season yet, and Schonny Winston, who recently signed an extension.
But having Gomez de Liaño, who the past four years spent most of his time in Japan, Lithuania and South Korea, may be the talent the FiberXers need to get over the hump after coming close at a breakthrough semifinal appearance twice last season.
Gomez de Liaño is not just the big change within the FiberXers as the team chose to designate Pampanga vice governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda as its new coach after a season under Franco Atienza.
Pineda, however, assured that Atienza will remain with Converge as part of his staff while also asking help of former Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman and fellow Serbian mentor Djordje Jovicic, who’s been involved in the Pampanga Giant Lanterns of the MPBL.
“I think the team is more mature going into the season and we’re praying that we can get to at least the semifinals,” Pineda said in Filipino.
Jacob Lao is also returning as Converge team manager and has known Gomez de Liaño, having tapped him many times to play for Strong Group Athletics in the William Jones Cup.
The FiberXers were also one of the teams that maximized the draft by selecting nine players.
Kobe Monje was taken in the second round, Tony Ynot in the third round, JM Manalang in the fourth round, JP Cauilan in the fifth round, Dan Mallari in the sixth round, Jordan Sta. Ana in the seventh round, Geremy Robinson in the eighth round, Patrick Ramos in the ninth round and Niel Tolentino in the 10th round.
