Are we seeing the rise of a new contender?
The Converge FiberXers are a talented bunch. But they are young and a little rough around the edges.
They are also building something good.
That talent was on full display Thursday night against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. And it was in a game when Maverick Ahanmisi, the breakout star so far of the PBA Governors’ Cup, could only muster 7 points, or 15 below the 22.3 points he averaged in the FiberXers’ first three games.
Yet Converge won handily because almost everybody else Aldin Ayo fielded chipped in.
But the biggest star vs Rain or Shine was lefty big man Justin Arana, who poured in 21 points, grabbed 8 boards, and ran the pick-and-roll beautifully with import Jamaal Franklin several times. The 6-foot-6 Arellano alum, of course, is a vital piece of the championship puzzle Converge is building, and his development this conference should only bode well for the FiberXers’ present and, ultimately, their future.
Arana, though, isn’t the only FiberXer playing well this conference. There is Jeron Teng, who scored 17 points against the Elasto Painters and is looking comfortable as a second or third option for Ayo’s free-flowing offense. There is also Abu Tratter, who posted a strong double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds against Rain or Shine and is now averaging 9.5 points and 7 rebounds this conference.
Young guard Alec Stockton is finding his way as well, chipping in 10 points against the Elasto Painters to follow up his career game vs the Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday. Even Jerrick Balanza is playing well for his former coach, adding 12 points to the FiberXers' blowout win over Rain or Shine—the second time he has scored in double digits this conference.
In all, four Converge locals are averaging double figures in scoring—Ahanmisi (18.5), Teng (14.7), Arana (12.5), and Stockton (10.0)—with Tratter (9.5) and Balanza (8.7) not far behind. That is a solid core, if anything, and it can get even better once big man Jeo Ambohot and young wings David Murell and Taylor Browne find their own groove.
It also helps that the FiberXers are under the watchful eye of Ayo, who appears to be getting the most out of his youthful core. The only question now is whether Converge can keep this group long enough to grow into a true championship contender.