The stars showed out in the Converge FiberXers’ 105-89 rout of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 3 on Tuesday. Juan Gomez de Liaño nearly notched a triple-double. Justine Baltazar and Justin Arana lorded over the paint. Cameron Clark did it all. But it was the young-and-old combo of Jonnel Policarpio and Calvin Abueva that truly sparked the FiberXers.
Policarpio, 24, played his best game in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Tuesday, tallying 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals while taking on the challenge of defending Rain or Shine superstar guard Adrian Nocum. Abueva, 38, came off the bench and dropped a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double along with the usual energy he provides on both ends.
Pineda Credits Policarpio
After the game, Converge coach Delta Pineda was straightforward in his assessment of Policarpio’s Game 3 breakout, lauding his “big contribution” to the win.
“Jonel is doing good. Alam niya yung role niya sa team, especially on defense,” Pineda pointed out in the postgame presser. “Kahit bata pa, sumasabay na. So, if you’re talking about Paulie, big contribution naman po sa team namin.”
Policarpio’s time with Converge has largely been uneven. But this conference, it appears he is carving out his role within the FiberXers’ ecosystem as a versatile defender, covering imports and blanketing talented locals with his length and athleticism. And in Game 3, his assignment was mostly containing Nocum, whom he helped harass into 3-for-12 shooting and 7 turnovers.
Abueva, Old but Gold Still
Later on, Pineda praised Abueva while also reminding everyone that The Beast is getting up there in years.
“Si Calvin kahit matanda na ‘yun, ‘yung energy na kino-contribute every time na napasok siya, nandoon pa rin po ‘yun,” Pineda said of Abueva. “Kailangan pa rin po namin ‘yung energy niya, especially on defense. ‘Yung offense, bonus na lang po sa amin ‘yun. Pero the energy on defense, kailangan po namin ‘yun kay Calvin.”
Energy is something Abueva has been bringing game in and game out, not just to Converge but to every team he has played for since he entered the PBA in 2012. That he is still doing it at 38 makes it all the more noteworthy—and maybe even a bit inspiring.
Abueva and Policarpio will look to make a difference once more on Friday, when Converge goes for the franchise’s first semis appearance ever in Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
