The Converge FiberXers’ Big Five of Alec Stockton, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Schonny Winston, Justin Arana, and Justine Baltazar would be any coach’s dream. But, as the Terrafirma Dyip and Phoenix Fuel Masters found out in back-to-back games in this PBA Philippine Cup, Converge is more than just those five talented players.
Veteran Kevin Racal, the most tenured FiberXer, continues to be solid. MJ Garcia has been a ball of energy off the bench. New boys Larry Muyang, Archie Concepcion, and John Lloyd Clemente are fast proving they belong in the big league. Converge is so deep and so talent-laden that coach Delta Pineda can trot out a third five and not be worried. No wonder Pineda is on cloud nine for having such a talented squad—led by the Big Five, of course.
“Kahit sinong coach na ganito mga batang hawak nila, hindi po sila mahihirapan,” he told the media after Converge beat Phoenix on Saturday. “Talented lahat, and everybody contributes… One of my five guys, talagang up to the end, may puputok sigurado.”
Staying Ready Is Key at Converge, Says Alec Stockton
On Saturday versus Phoenix, Converge’s starters—Stockton, Racal, Arana, Baltazar, and de Liaño—scored 71 of the FiberXers’ 128 points, while the bench, led by Winston’s 17, accounted for 57 more. It was, yet again, another example of everyone contributing, as Pineda astutely pointed out.
All that depth, though, means slightly reduced roles and responsibilities for Converge’s stars, notably Alec Stockton and Justin Arana. But the two-way guard isn’t complaining and is instead preaching a stay-ready mentality.
“Sa ‘min naman, it doesn’t really matter who handles the ball,” Stockton pointed out. “It’s either me, Schonny, Juan, we have other guys like sila MJ… They make the job easier for me. [But] like our coaches say, always make sure that you’re ready for the opportunity whenever it does come.”
Alec Stockton was ready against Phoenix, whom he torched for 22 big points—including 15 in the second half. Next game, it could be Winston. It could be Arana two games from now.
It could be anyone. Or it could be everyone, as Pineda said.
