With the addition of Calvin Abueva, Jonnel Policarpio, and reportedly Mikey Williams, Converge is expected to once again be a playoff threat in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup.
It’s no secret Converge is coming in as among the favorites in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
After several quarterfinal finishes, the FiberXers plugged in experience by trading for Calvin Abueva to complement a young core made up of rising star Juan Gomez De Liaño, the twin towers of Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana, as well as explosive guard Alec Stockton.
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And based on recent reports, Converge is also expecting two-time PBA champion and Finals MVP Mikey Williams to finally join them this year.
Adding to a busy break in between conference, the FiberXers also landed promising forward Jonnel Policarpio in a three-team trade with NLEX and Meralco.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Mocon to Meralco, Winston to NLEX in proposed three-team trade]
But the player movements don’t really make Converge anything more than their recent accomplishment, according to Gomez De Liaño.
Well, at least not yet.
“I'd say we’re coming in still as underdogs because we haven't proven anything yet in the league. We haven't gone past the quarterfinals,” Gomez de Liaño told One Sports.
But with the recent additions, the no. 2 pick of the Season 50 Draft is upbeat about their chances in the mid-season conference where they will be reinforced by 7-foot Kylor Kelley.
“I feel like now with the right pieces and the tools, I think we really have a chance to go past the first round especially, you know, with Calvin coming in. We also got Mikey Williams and the import as well,” Gomez De Liaño said.
The PBA Commissioner’s Cup fires off on March 11, with Converge playing on opening day against guest team Macau Black Bears.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.