The experienced San Miguel Beermen take on young challengers Converge FiberXers and one familiar Alex Cabagnot in the best-of-five PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals.
The PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals stage is set as the San Miguel Beermen and Converge FiberXers square off in a best-of-five series.
These two teams, despite sharing a 6-4 record in their respective groups, are on different trajectories. San Miguel enters the playoffs as the league’s winningest franchise, while Converge is a young team on the rise, aiming to make a deep playoff run.
Game 1 of this quarterfinal series will tip off on Thursday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, with both teams eager to prove they can thrive under playoff pressure.
San Miguel Beermen: Aiming for Redemption
The San Miguel Beermen, with 29 championships under their belt, are the most decorated team in the league.
However, the Beermen’s dominance in the Governors' Cup has faded in recent years, with their last title in the tournament dating back to 2015.
Coming off a stinging defeat in the 2023-24 Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel is on a mission to bounce back and reclaim their spot atop the PBA hierarchy.
CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo have been leading the charge for San Miguel, both ranked among the top three in scoring. Their ability to carry the offensive load has been a key factor.
But all eyes will be on how their new import, EJ Anosike, fits into the team's system heading into the playoffs.
Can the 25-year-old American-Nigerian get in the groove in time?
Converge FiberXers: A Team on the Rise
This series also marks a personal storyline for Alex Cabagnot, who will be facing his former longtime team, the Beermen. After years of success with San Miguel, Cabagnot now finds himself on the other side of the court, looking to spoil their playoff hopes.
His knowledge will surely be a goldmine for Converge, which is eager to shed the label of "up-and-coming" and prove the FiberXers belong among the league's elite.
After a strong debut season that saw them make the quarterfinals in all three conferences of the 2022-23 season, the FiberXers missed the playoffs the following year. Now, they are determined to take the next step and reach the semifinals for the first time in franchise history.
The FiberXers recently made a bold move by replacing import Scotty Hopson with Jalen Jones, and the early returns have been promising.
Jones has quickly become the team's offensive focal point, averaging 29.5 points per game (PPG) in his two appearances, ranking fifth among imports.
Top Local Performers
June Mar Fajardo (San Miguel): The eight-time MVP continues to dominate the paint, leading the league in boards with 15.0 rebounds per game (RPG) and ranking second in scoring with 21.3 PPG.
CJ Perez (San Miguel): Known for his high-octane plays, Perez is third in the league in scoring with 20.5 PPG and ranks fourth in dimes with 5.3 assists per game (APG). He's also not afraid to shoot for four points.
Alec Stockton (Converge): Stockton has been a steady contributor for the FiberXers, finishing 11th in scoring during the eliminations with 15.2 PPG.
Quarterfinals schedule
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Game 1: September 26, Thursday | 7:30 p.m. | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
- Game 2: September 28, Saturday | 5:00 p.m. | Smart Araneta Coliseum
- Game 3: September 30, Monday | 7:30 p.m. | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
- Game 4 (if necessary): October 4, Friday | 5:00 p.m. | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
- Game 5 (if necessary): October 6, Sunday | 7:30 p.m. | Ynares Center, Antipolo
The games will be aired on RPTV, PBA Rush, and the Pilipinas Live app.
[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]