CONVERGE will be patient for the return of Jordan Heading until the rookie gets fully healed from his bad case of back spasm.
Coach Franco Atienza acknowledged the loss of the 29-year-old gunner was a huge loss for the FiberXers' current campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup, but said he expects other players to step up and fill in the shoes briefly left by Heading.
"Jordan was a top 5 dun sa Best Player of the Conference, no. 4 yata. He averaged 17 points per game. And hindi mapapalitan ng isang tao yun," said Franco.
"Siguro it's a committee or a team ang nandun. And confident naman kami na kung anuman yung nawala habang hinihintay namin si Jordan, these guys are ready to step up."
So far, the FiberXers have been holding the fort in the absence of the Fil-Australian rookie, thwarting the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 92-83, to even their record at 1-1 after initially losing to defending champion Meralco Bolts in their debut game, 91-89.
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There's no timeline yet on the return of Heading, a former no. 1 pick during the 2020 special Gilas draft, who suffered the back injury during the Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals series against Rain or Shine.
He's expected to sit out the FiberXers' April 9 game against the Magnolia Hotshots as part of the PBA's 50th anniversary presentation at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. (RG)
