The Converge FiberXers have hit a rough patch, suffering their fourth straight loss this conference—a 126-114 defeat to the San Miguel Beermen—after opening the PBA Governors’ Cup with three consecutive wins.
After a tightly contested first half, the Beermen took complete control in the second and never allowed the FiberXers to get back into the game.
Afterward, Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño told reporters he is willing to sacrifice his scoring and focus more on facilitating and playmaking if it means helping the team regain its winning ways.
“If no one’s going to adjust, I’ll be the one,” said Gomez de Liaño. “That’s the way I kind of play, and I know how to adjust to certain systems. I’ve been exposed to different styles of basketball, different coaching environments, so I know how to adjust to whatever the team needs.”
Against the Beermen, the second overall pick of the 2025 PBA Draft recorded 10 rebounds and 8 assists but had a rough shooting night, going just 6-for-17 from the field while scoring 12 points.
Sacrifice Is the Name of the Game
Critically, Gomez de Liaño is determined to assert himself as the leader of Converge—and that comes with being willing to make the biggest sacrifices to help the team find success.
“I think that’s my job here in the team—to be the leader, to be that point guard, kinda just pretty much facilitate, make the right plays, and get my teammates going,” he added.
Through seven games this conference, Gomez de Liaño is averaging 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. He has also been in and out of the starting lineup throughout the Governors’ Cup but has not complained about the minutes he’s been given.
“So, if no one’s going to do that, I’ll be the one. Because that’s just like me being a leader. I’m willing to sacrifice—I’ve dealt with the same situation when I was in college,” he further said.
It’s clear where Gómez de Liaño is coming from. Converge is loaded with talent, including players who can score like Mikey Williams, Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, and Alec Stockton. Even so, the team has struggled lately, at times looking disorganized and lacking chemistry.
Now at 3-4 in Group A, the FiberXers need to pick things up to avoid another quick exit—and Gomez de Liaño is willing to do anything to make that happen.
