Converge keeps calm amid streak as Ginebra duel looms
Converge raised its winning streak to three straight after beating another one of the consensus contenders in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday.
But coach Franco Atienza still can’t say if the current run, which was extended by way of the 107-97 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, is a gauge of how things can go for the FiberXers.
“We will take the win and we’re proud of that,” Atienza said. “But we haven’t achieved anything yet because we’re still in the middle of the eliminations.”
Converge climbed to 4-2 after weathering Rain or Shine’s fast-paced tempo behind another big game from rookie Justine Baltazar, plus major contributions from Justin Arana, Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston.
The victory served as a great way to take a breather before returning to action on May 10 in San Fernando, Pampanga, where the FiberXers is unofficially the “home team” in the out-of-town duel.
But perhaps because that match will be against crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra, Atienza and the team believe they’ll feel like visitors despite Converge’s deep connection with the province.
That duel could provide a clearer picture of what the FiberXers standing truly is in the all-Filipino tournament.
Baltazar finished with 13 points, 22 rebounds and three blocks, highlighting his steady rise into one of the league’s best big men. Arana had 18 points and 17 rebounds despite moments despite having his difficulties against Rain or Shine’s defense.
Cooled off
It was guards Winston and Stockton, however, who inflicted damage on Rain or Shine in the fourth quarter, and they came up with 24 points apiece.
Rain or Shine dropped to 2-2 as it couldn’t sustain its pace that enabled coach Yeng Guiao’s wards to take the lead behind the early hot shooting of Santi Santillan.
Santillan and the Painters eventually cooled off in the fourth quarter as the FiberXers defense tightened up.
Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said it has asked the owners of the Zamboanga Valientes to submit necessary requirements as talks between them and Terrafirma regarding the sale of the Dyip franchise have been making progress.
The Valientes, Marcial confirmed, were one of the three companies that submitted a letter of intent to the league. But owner Junnie Navarro told Marcial it will wait until the end of the May 12 elections before beginning the process of the potential purchase of Terrafirma.
“We hope they could join in time for our 50th season,” Marcial said.
