Converge on verge

Qualifying for the semifinals has been an elusive goal for Converge since joining the PBA in 2022-23. In seven of 10 conferences, the FiberXers went to the quarterfinals but never advanced. This season, Converge blew a twice-to-beat advantage and lost to Ginebra in the Philippine Cup quarters and in the Commissioner’s Cup, failed to make the playoffs.

Pampanga Vice-Governor Dennis (Delta) Pineda took over Converge’s coaching chores this season after the team moved from Jeff Cariaso to Aldin Ayo to Franco Atienza. Former Gilas coach Rajko Toroman was Pineda’s consultant before another Serbian Djordje Jovicic rejoined the staff on an active basis this conference. Jovicic had worked as a defensive coach with the FiberXers in the Philippine Cup last campaign.

In today’s twinbill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Converge holds a virtual twice-to-beat edge over Rain or Shine in their best-of-five quarterfinal series. The FiberXers are ahead, 2-1 and a win away from breaking into the semis in a historic feat. The Elasto Painters are out to even the count and force a do-or-die Game 5 at Ynares Center, Antipolo, on Tuesday. The winner of Converge-ROS will face NLEX in the semis which begin on Dec. 4.

Converge is on a roll, winning seven of its last eight games with the only loss to ROS in Game 1 of the quarters. This conference, Converge is No. 1 in offense with a 121.6 point average, field goal marksmanship at 49.5 percent, paint points at 61.9 a game, least turnovers at 11.9, assists at 28.5, rebounds at 54.8, free throw accuracy at 79.1 percent and fastbreak points at 23.5. The numbers explain why the FiberXers tote an overall record of 10-5

Since Cameron Clark’s arrival, Converge is 7-1. Clark, 35, is on his third PBA tour of duty after NLEX in 2022 and San Miguel Beer in 2023. The four-year University of Oklahoma workhorse played for the LA Clippers and Milwaukee in the NBA Summer League, never made it to the regular season and built a rich resumé barnstorming Italy, Israel, France, Turkey, Germany, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bahrain, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Venezuela. He’s Converge’s third import after Jalen Hudson and Jamaal Franklin this conference. Clark is averaging 27 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Other double figure scorers on the team are Justin Arana, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Justine Baltazar and Calvin Abueva. Pineda’s lineup also includes Alec Stockton, Jonnel Policarpio, Jaydee Tungcab, Mikey Williams and MJ Garcia.

Against ROS, Converge limited Aaron Fuller to four points in Game 2 enroute to a 105-89 romp. Policarpio and Abueva are Pineda’s import stoppers aside from Clark so it’s a concerted effort to limit Fuller. JGDL is Converge’s Mr. Do-It-All with five triple doubles so far this season and he’s an expert at setting up Arana and Baltazar inside. ROS, however, is far from out of it. Coach Yeng Guiao’s men don’t give up easily and they’re determined to survive. Fuller is expected to bounce back with a vengeance but unless the locals provide support on both ends, Converge could be marching straight to the semis.