November 27, 2024

‘It’s just the first game’: Converge coach Franco Atienza hopes FiberXers can sustain fine play

‘It’s just the first game’: Converge coach Franco Atienza hopes FiberXers can sustain fine play
Justin Arana backstops import Cheick Diallo with his own double-double production in Converge's opening game win against Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, Nov. 27. | Photo (c) PBA

Converge was all business right from the get-go en route to flattening Terrafirma, 116-87, in a strong start to its PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup campaign on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

While it was Dyip import Ryan Richards who opened hostilities with a jumper, it was the only time that his squad would taste the lead as FiberXers import Cheick Diallo retaliated with a layup to knot the count and build the separation that would balloon to as many as 33 points.

Converge coach Franco Atienza assessed his squad's opening act against Terrafirma as a "good overall game" but noted that it does not mean as much this early in the conference.

“It’s a good overall game for us. Good first game. I think we dictated the pace pretty well and the guys are in sync at least for this game,” Atienza said shortly after the match at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

“But more than that, we were able to put the game how we wanted it to. It’s really early. It means nothing. It’s just the first game."

What Atienza wanted to do is for Converge to sustain their showing to the finish.

“We want to build up on this performance. Hopefully, the way we played today, we will be able to carry it throughout the conference.”

Converge leaned on Diallo (25 points and 16 rebounds) and Justin Arana's (16-12) double-double efforts as well as Bryan Santos' (four treys for 12 points) and Matt Nieto's (three treys for 11 points) connection from three-point range to hack out the opening win.

Jordan Heading also made his much-awaited debut and finished with eight points, four rebounds and six dimes in nearly 24 minutes of play.

The FiberXers zoomed to a 34-16 start, then sputtered briefly in the third period when the Dyip pulled to within eight, 58-66, on debuting rookie CJ Catapusan’s four pointer.

But Converge quickly restored order and went on to blast the Dyip, who missed the services of newly acquired stars Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel.

[WATCH: San Miguel sends Romeo, Manuel to Terrafirma for Tiongson, Cahilig | OS Quick Run]

Meanwhile, Catapusan paced Terrafirma with 13 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Louie Sangalang, Stanley Pringle, and newbie Mark Nonoy contributed 11 points apiece.

Nonoy, Terrafirma's 10th overall pick, and Catapusan, chosen at No. 15 in the draft, both see action for the first time after finishing their MPBL obligations.

Richards tallied 10 points and two assists for Terrafirma.

The Scores:

CONVERGE 116 – Diallo 25, Arana 16, Santos 12, Nieto 11, Heading 8, Winston 7, Stockton 7, Ambohot 6, Fleming 6, Andrade 5, Racal 5, Fornilos 3, Javillonar 3, Santos 2, Cabagnot 0.

TERRAFIRMA 87 – Catapusan 13, Sangalang 11, Pringle 11, Nonoy 11, Richards 10, Carino 8, Hernandez 6, Ramos 5, Melecio 4, Paraiso 3, Ferrer 3, Zaldivar 2, Hanapi 2.

Quarterscores: 34-16, 59-42, 86-67, 116-87.

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