The missing link
Donovan Smith satisfied Converge’s need for a productive import, leading the FiberXers in blasting away at an import-less Phoenix side on Sunday that kept their hopes alive in the race for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
“I think this guy is the missing link,” coach Delta Pineda said after Smith and the FiberXers rolled to a 130-103 win at Smart Araneta Coliseum where he finished with 32 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks after taking the place of an inconsistent Kylor Kelley.
The FiberXers won back-to-back games for the first time this conference while improving to a 4-6 record.
That allowed Converge, now at ninth spot, to knock on the playoff door, just half-a-game behind San Miguel Beer and Magnolia which have 4-5 records and Phoenix, which fell to 5-4 after playing minus James Dickey III.
Dickey was said to have been sidelined with an ankle sprain, leaving Phoenix with no choice but to face its former reinforcement in Smith with an all-Filipino roster.
“I could play a little bit better,” said Smith, who played for Phoenix last season with averages almost similar to the output he had against the Fuel Masters. “But it’s a good game, we got the win. I was a little sad that I couldn’t play against their import. But it is what it is.”
Converge made the switch to Smith after the 7-foot Kelley’s struggles during the team’s slump. Pineda said the FiberXers made the search for a replacement who’s still in game shape.
And they got it in Smith, who flew in the country after coming off a stint in Bahrain.
“We didn’t want someone who is coming off a one-month or a two-month layoff,” said Pineda. “It’s a blessing that he had just finished playing in the Finals of his recent stop and we felt that he was the best choice.”
The FiberXers are banking that Smith could continue his form, with their next games being the NLEX Road Warriors on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium and the Blackwater Bossing on May 9 at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Win those two games and a playoff spot could be a possibility, even if potential tiebreakers could put them at a disadvantage, especially since they were on the losing end of their games against the Beermen and Hotshots.
Alec Stockton had 16 points, Justine Baltazar posted 15 points and 14 rebounds, Justin Arana tallied 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists even as Juan Gomez de Liaño posted 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Ricci Rivero scored a game-high 26 points, but Phoenix remained in seventh following a stinging defeat.
