The Converge FiberXers on Saturday looked every bit of a contender this PBA Season 50, running roughshod over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, 129-92, in a dominant debut. It was an inspired and methodical effort from the FiberXers, and it looked like they were having fun dismantling Titan Ultra.
The way the FiberXers played, it’s easy to see why. The ball zipped all around the court as the FiberXers looked for the open man. The pace was fast and furious, and everyone seemingly had the license to let it fly. And it looks like Converge coach Delta Pineda wants things exactly that way: for his wards to play a fast-paced game and just enjoy playing it.
“Nakita natin na nag-enjoy ‘yung mga bata natin on their game. As you can see, ‘yung pacing ng game na gusto namin, mabilis ‘yung pacing ng mga bata, and I think they enjoyed the game. ‘Yun ang pinakamahalaga dun,” Pineda told reporters after Converge’s winning debut on Saturday.
Delta Pineda, the Players’ Coach?
It’s early, but from the way his players responded against Titan Ultra and how he interacted with Arana and Juan Gomez de Liaño in the postgame presser, it’s looking like Delta Pineda is shaping up to be a players’ coach.
He even gave his prized rookie, de Liaño, more minutes even in a blowout so he could go chase history and nail the first-ever triple-double debut in PBA history. The former Fighting Maroon accomplished the feat, and Pineda looked like a proud dad later as he and de Liaño talked about it.
Later on, Delta Pineda reiterated that he wants his players to just enjoy the game but made sure to emphasize the need to zone in on defense even more.
“More adjustments pa, especially on defense,” Pineda noted. “‘Yun ang kelangan namin every game na dapat i-improve pa namin and make sure na i-enjoy ng mga bata ‘yung game. Do their best, enjoy the game.”
With that style and a supportive head coach, it’s not hard to see the FiberXers enjoying the game this season—and possibly beyond.
