The Converge FiberXers are knocking on the playoff door—and are staring at a potential twice-to-beat advantage. That after they beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 103-96, in a battle between two emerging independent teams.
In the end, the FiberXers climbed to solo second, while the Elasto Painters dropped to seventh.
But the FiberXers didn’t just beat Rain or Shine. They also did it with their import, Cheick Diallo, nursing a bum stomach and one of their best players, Justin Arana, playing through a hurting shin after getting hit in then first quarter. That Diallo managed to play at all and that Arana continued playing even while hurt is a testament to their grit and toughness. It is also a credit to the Converge sports medicine staff, according to coach Franco Atienza.
Atienza Says Converge Sports Medicine Staff Is Among PBA’s Best
Taking care of the players is the chief responsibility of a sports medicine staff—and the FiberXers’ bevy of experts in that field is among the PBA’s very best, Atienza pointed out. The amiable leader of Converge admitted he had to ask Diallo if he was good to go against Rain or Shine, to which his import answered in the affirmative.
And the Converge sports med staff made sure he was ready to come game time. They also made sure Arana could continue playing despite his injury scare early in the game.
“I give credit to our sports med, malaki rin ‘yung ambag nila,” Atienza told reporters after the Rain or Shine game. “CD [Diallo] coming in, talagang trineat nila, Justin ganun din… Si Alec [Stockton], towards the endgame kaya medyo [malakas] pa ‘to sa endgame [it’s] because of those guys, ‘yung mga unsung heroes namin. They’re one of the best, I believe, dito sa liga on how they take care of our players.
That splendid staff will need to work double time in the days ahead as they will have to keep a likely playoff team in tip-top shape for the grind that is the postseason.
