Pat Maagdenberg saved his best performance for last as he came up big in Converge’s closing salvo against TNT on Wednesday, May 1.
Converge coach Aldin Ayo could not help but feel proud of the growth of role player Patrick Maagdenberg with the FiberXers.
Maagdenberg churned out his best game yet in a FiberXers uniform in a 107-103 win over TNT to close their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup campaign on Wednesday night, May 1.
The Converge rookie finished with only 12 points, but he scored 10 of those in a pivotal run in the fourth quarter that helped the FiberXers keep the Tropang Giga at bay despite a 33-point performance by Calvin Oftana.
Maagdenberg also logged two rebounds, an assist and a block in over 30 minutes of play.
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“He’s been very consistent in his own way. Nandoon lang palagi sa practice. At first, limited ang playing time niya, but he showed he can play especially during our practices,” Ayo said after the match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“That’s why paunti-unti, dinadagdagan namin ang playing time niya. Whatever playing time he has right now, he earned it. He proved [it] to us during the practices that we had.”
Patrick Maagdenberg in action during Converge's match against TNT in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 1 | Photo (c) PBA
When asked to assess his first season in the PBA, Maagdenberg said he gradually gained the confidence that he needed to make an impression.
“I think at the start of the season my confidence wasn’t as high as it is now. But going through the season, maybe the last four games just picking up my scoring my rebounding just contributing more to the team,” said Maagdenberg, a former UAAP champion with Ateneo.
“It’s just really boosting my confidence and self-esteem to play well when I’m out there," he added.
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Ayo isn’t exactly surprised with the growth of the player his former UST team faced in the UAAP finals in 2019.
“I know that he is a smart player. Coming from a good program, he has the pedigree. Madaling i-coach, eh. [Kasi] galing doon sa [may] sistema, eh,” the Converge tactician said.
Ayo is not sure how the team’s makeup would look like entering the 49th season. But with the way Maagdenberg is progressing, it is likely he will be part of the FiberXers' formidable team that they are slowly building.
“We’re waiting for these young players to improve and mature. Right now, what we need is time. Hopefully, itong long break, long offseason, mag-improve ang mga players namin at suwertehin kami sa drafting,” said Ayo.