Converge guns for 4th straight victory
PACE-SETTING Converge guns for its fourth straight win when it collides with winless Rain or Shine in the main game of the 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup today, February 2, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The FiberXers won their first three games and will enter the 6:45 p.m. match as favorites.
Sweet-shooting American Jamaal Franklin has provided instant offense for Converge behind his solid numbers of 31 points, 12 rebounds and over seven assists per game.
He fired 13 of his 26 points in the last period to help Converge shock powerhouse Magnolia 111-109 last Sunday.
But the FiberXers can’t approach the game with overconfidence, considering that the Elasto Painters are itching to punch in their first win for the conference since getting off to a 0-2 start.
Rain or Shine opened the seasonending conference with a 105-87 beating at the hands of Meralco, before blowing a double-digit spread en route to a 105-100 setback to TNT last week.
Injured youngsters Leonard Santillan and Gian Mamuyac are coming off sprained ankle issues although the availability of both could be game time decisions.
Still, Rain or Shine’s offense will be led by energetic Michael Qualls, along with Rey Nambatac and veteran James Yap who will come off the bench to provide the much-needed leadership and scoring boost.
In the 4:30 p.m. opening game, winless squads Phoenix and NorthPort collide.
The Fuel Masters and Batang Pier have lost their first three outings this conference, with both teams raring to get over the hump.
Phoenix is coming off a 19-point beating at the hands of powerhouse San Miguel, which debuted this conference with much aplomb.
“Against San Miguel we were down by 33 but we got that down to 11, 10, but unfortunately they made some big shots,” Phoenix interim coach Jamike Jarin said.
The Fuel Masters, who dropped a close 119-123 decision to TNT Tropang Giga, in their conference opener, also fell to the Blackwater Bossing 105-108.
NorthPort also started badly during the conference’s opening week, getting beaten black and blue by Converge by 30 points followed by close defeats to Meralco (102-107) and NLEX (112-121).
NorthPort didn’t have ace guard Robert Bolick and veteran forward Arwind Santos during the first three games due to separate injuries. Worse, Bolick’s contract expired last January 31 and at press time, has yet to reach an agreement with the NorthPort management for a fresh deal.
Team management has yet to confirm reports that Bolick is set to fly to Taiwan to play in the T1 pro league.