The prize for Converge for being the no. 3 seed is a PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals showdown against the San Miguel Beermen.
In a bit of a double-edged sword, Converge beat Magnolia to claim the no. 3 seed from Group A in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
The prize for the win is a best-of-five showdown against the mighty San Miguel Beermen.
Despite the rather tough draw, making the playoffs is a goal achieved as far as the FiberXers are concerned.
“We chunk off our goals in little parts. First one being was making the quarters, right now we’ve somehow got that. But it doesn’t end here,” interim coach Franco Atienza said on Converge making the playoffs after a two-conference drought.
[Related: Red-hot Converge seals PBA playoffs date with San Miguel after stopping Magnolia to end Governors' Cup elims]
Looking ahead in the showdown against the Beermen, Atienza said that the FiberXers are looking to build up on their good momentum they gained entering the quarterfinals.
To end the elimination round of the Governors’ Cup, Converge won four straight, picking up wins against NorthPort, Terrafirma, Meralco, and Magnolia.
Against the Hotshots, the FiberXers overcame a 15-point deficit in the first half, using a commanding third-quarter effort to turn the tide.
Import Jalen Jones led the way with 27 points and 12 rebounds, but the Converge locals also had solid outings.
Former Rookie of the Year Justin Arana was at the forefront of the local backup, finishing with a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston also had 10 points each for Converge.
“Yun nga, medyo malaking challenge yung San Miguel on the other side but we wanna build up on what we’re doing right,” Atienza said as they now look to capitalize on their hot streak.
“We are riding on a four-game winning streak and we want to get all the learning… we finished strong in the eliminations and hopefully we carry it over, the good things that we did and we can do it better, correct whatever mistakes that we have,” he added.
For Magnolia, Calcin Abueva led the way with 11 points. New import Rayvonte Rice, who replaced the injured Shabazz Muhammad, was good for only five points on 2/14 shooting.
The Hotshots will take on Rain or Shine in the next round.