CONVERGE aims to at least pick up from where it left off in the last conference when it takes on a drastically re-tooled Terrafirma crew Wednesday in a match kicking off the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
"We're excited to start another conference kasi we fell short in the last one and it left a bad taste so gusto mong bumawi kaagad," said coach Franco Atienza of his FiberXers, who finished sixth in the season-opening Governors Cup.
"We hope to do better kasi mukhang maganda naman development namin from the last conference," added Atienza, whose team surprised most by dragging powerhouse San Miguel Beer to a do-or-die fifth game in their quarterfinals matchup.
"We had good practices from the last time we played, and we are excited to show kung ano natutunan namin from the last conference and how we connect those dito sa mid-season."
Still, Atienza remains wary of the Dyip, who underwent a massive overhaul following a 1-9 record in the last conference.
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Raymond Tiongco has taken over the head coaching reins and some new faces would now be donning the Terrafirma jerseys, led by Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel who were recently acquired from SMB in exchange for top gunner Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig.
"Iba yung Terrence saka Vic Manuel," noted Atienza. "They are sure to add experience and poise to Terrafirma."
Also making their Terrafirma debut are rookies Mark Nonoy and CJ Catapusan, as well as ex-NorthPort guard Brent Paraiso and Aljun Melecio and Keith Zaldivar, who were acquired from Converge for the rights to Jordan Heading.
Dyip management also decided on 6-11 British-Jamaican Ryan Richards to man the middle while Christian Standhardinger continues his recovery from a knee injury that sidelined him in the latter stages of the Governors Cup.
In contrast, Converge opted for a smaller import in Cheick Diallo, a 28-year-old former NBA campaigner who is only listed at 6-8 but is sure to have help manning the slot in Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, once the latter is free to join the team next month.
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"'Yung import namin medyo bata din, first time to play here. Hindin siya ganoon kalaki compared to other teams na kumuha ng mga 6-11, seven-footers. But we're excited about what he can do and what he brings and how the team is gelling together," said Atienza.
"We're also looking forward to that (Baltazar's arrival). But we'll try to compete with whatever we have and I think we have enough guys to hold the fort, kumbaga, in the meantime." (NC)
