Converge impressed in its PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup opener. The challenge now is to build on that.
Converge looks to write a sequel to a dominant 127-95 opening win over the Terrafirma Dyip, when the FiberXers take on the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Friday, August 23.
The match is set at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Converge hoping to join the TNT Tropang Giga atop Group A with a flawless 2-0 win-loss tally.
The FiberXers have looked far from the squad that hardly tasted victory in the past season. They were in control and, more importantly, played better defense against a team which boasts of former Best Player of the Conference winners Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle.
But a bigger test awaits the Scotty Hopson-led Converge in the main game of the double header as the Hotshots are eager to bounce back from a sorry loss to Meralco in the season’s curtain-raiser.
Hopson will be pitted against another former NBA player in Glen Robinson III, finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to the Bolts.
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Interim coach Franco Atienza acknowledged there’s much work cut out for Converge, which will unleash top overall pick Justin Baltazar only after the MPBL season.
Yet he is hopeful his charges will be able to sustain its fine play regardless of the outcome against a perennial powerhouse team.
“This is just one game. For tonight it’s good. But in basketball you’re just as good as your last game. We are happy but we try not to be contended. We still have a high ceiling,” Atienza said.
Meanwhile, the Dyip and the NorthPort Batang Pier seek a first win in the import-spiced conference when they collide at 5 p.m. on the same day.
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