There’s little doubt the Converge FiberXers have elite-level talent. Whether they’d turn into an elite team remains to be seen. So far, in the Philippine Cup of PBA Season 50, Converge looks very much like a work in progress, beating teams they’re supposed to beat but falling to the league’s true elites—the TNT Tropang 5G and San Miguel Beermen.
Though, to the FiberXers’ credit, they put up a good fight both against TNT and SMB. And, as far as head coach Delta Pineda is concerned, games against the league’s past champions are vital to his team’s transformation from a talented bunch to a true title contender.
“Akala ko nga nung start namin against Blackwater hindi kami naka-recover,” Pineda joked to reporters when asked how Converge got past that 96-90 loss to San Miguel in time for the FiberXers’ outing versus the Blackwater Bossing. “Tuloy-tuloy lang. Sabi ko sa mga bata, up to the end, basta walang maggi-give up. ‘Yung loss sa San Miguel talagang tanggap namin ‘yun. That’s a champion team, beterano pa lahat. Sa amin, mga bata, kulang pa sa experience, so tanggap namin ‘yung talo na ‘yun. Dun kami matututo, dun matututo ‘yung team, dun matututo ‘yung mga bata sa pagkakamali namin…”
Pineda Pinpoints Converge Execution as Area of Focus
One thing Pineda believes Converge needs to work on is its execution—something it didn’t do too well against San Miguel but improved somewhat opposite the Bossing.
“Hindi kami nagmamadali sa offense namin nitong mga dying minutes, so na-execute namin maigi mga plays namin,” said Pineda as he applauded his team’s late-game execution against an inspired Blackwater five that nearly pulled off an upset.
Even so, the affable Pineda continues to preach patience and on-point execution, especially with Converge set to face another contender in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“No choice kami, kelangan namin harapin ‘to kahit gaano kagaling itong team na ‘to [Ginebra]. We need to prepare… Make sure ‘yung offense namin hindi kami nagmamadali. We need to execute our play every ball possession.”
It sounds simple enough. And with a lineup long on talent, maybe it is really just a matter of time before the Converge FiberXers execute like the champions they can be.
