Converge potential SMC-MVP spoiler; be patient, says coach
There might be a reason to label Converge a spoiler to the expected duopoly between teams from San Miguel Corp. and MVP Group after two tuneup victories with prized rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño.
But no less than the FiberXers’ designated coach, Pampanga vice governor Delta Pineda, was quick to downplay growing expectations going into the Philippine Cup, the first offering of a long and winding 50th season of the PBA.
“Don’t expect too much,” Pineda said after Converge beat Meralco, 109-103, and Blackwater, 96-77, last week at Hoops Center in Mandaluyong City, where the team’s practices are held.
“But it will be up to us on how to approach [those expectations], on how the players will cooperate and how hard they’ll work in order for the team to be competitive for the coming conference,” Pineda added in Filipino.
Unofficial stats had Gomez de Liaño hitting at least 20 points each in both games as he finally got to team up with Justine Baltazar, Justin Arana, Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston, who have been the main core of the team for the last few seasons.
The FiberXers have been gearing for a surprise in Season 50, not only with the selection of Gomez de Liaño, but also changes in the coaching staff and management and the presence of Rajko Toroman and fellow Serbian coach Djordje Jovicic as consultants.
Larry Muyang, who was acquired from Phoenix in a three-way trade with NorthPort, has been taking part in the tuneup games, but he won’t be available until after he concludes his MPBL stint with Pampanga.
But the TNTs, San Miguel Beers and Barangay Ginebras of the world will likely have something to say about it.
“There’s a lot of strong teams in the league, with a lot of veteran players, unlike us who are still young in terms of experience,” said Pineda. “It’s always an advantage when you have some experience, especially in crucial situations. But who knows, being a young team could be beneficial for our team, and our roster has been together for a while and they’ve been able to adjust bit by bit.
“If we can get this team to play solidly, this will go far. We just have to be patient,” he added.
