Jordan Heading and the Converge FiberXers during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Converge kept itself busy following its exit from the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with the acquisition of a potential key piece but also had to bid farewell to one of its coaches.
The FiberXers secured a trade with the Blackwater Bossing to get former Gilas Pilipinas pool member Rey Suerte even as Charles Tiu bared his decision to step down as deputy coach after just two conferences with the team.
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Both moves came more than a week after Converge was eliminated by Rain or Shine in the decider of their best-of-three quarterfinal series despite winning Game 1.
It was the second straight conference that the FiberXers lost in the quarters, making them more eager to produce the franchise’s first-ever semifinals berth going into the season-ending Philippine Cup that starts in April.
“We got all the motivation in the world right now,” said Converge guard Jordan Heading. “We’re gonna come back hungry and we’re gonna come back better.”
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How the coaching staff will look in the all-Filipino is still to be determined following the departure of Tiu, who, as lead assistant to coach Franco Atienza, had an active role when it came to mapping out Converge’s game plan.
Tiu is said to be stepping down to focus more on his job as coach of College of St. Benilde in the NCAA and to help with his family’s businesses.
Pineda speculation
There’s been speculation for months that Pampanga Gov. Delta Pineda, whose involvement with the team increased this conference, may end up taking the coaching duties, but he himself was lukewarm to the idea when asked during the tail end of the eliminations.
“First, I’m in public service and second, the coaching staff is doing a good job running the team,” said Pineda.
Meanwhile, Converge secured the services of Suerte in exchange for young BJ Andrade, hoping to provide more spunk to the team’s offense.
Suerte is known for his capability to score, particularly from the outside, and was selected by Blackwater in the special draft for Gilas pool players in 2021.
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The Philippine Cup will provide the FiberXers a chance to test their young core led by Heading, Alec Stockton, Justin Arana and rookie Justine Baltazar.