UNLIKE in the last Commissioner’s Cup where he was only given one month to whip his charges into one cohesive unit after replacing Jeffrey Cariaso, Converge coach Aldin Ayo is convinced the FiberXers have now what it takes after getting the much needed time to prepare.
“We started slow sa first quarter because there were players na naghahanap ng puntos.
Excited lang siguro sa first game,” Ayo said. “But after that, everyone was executing and we were setting up players sa mga strengths (nila),” Ayo said after Converge whipped NorthPort 122-92 last Sunday night in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
“This (team) is different because this is almost five months or six months old na team. So, iyong preparations, nandoon,” he added.
Guard Maverick Ahanmisi scattered 29 points laced with six rebounds and nine assists for Converge, while import Ethan Rusbatch chipped in 17 markers, nine boards and three dimes.
Jeron Teng also had 16 points and nine boards while new addition Jerrick Balanza, and Abu Tratter, David Murrell, and Taylor Browne added 13, 13, 12, and 11 points, respectively, for the FiberXers.
Ayo pointed to Converge’s more balanced assault– booming in 16 three-pointers and issuing 27 feeds– as one of the keys in their fast start in the season-ending tourney, a rude welcome for new Batang Pier tactician Bonnie Tan.
“Iyan talaga ang laro namin. We’re going to set the pace. Everybody knows it already.
We’re going to set the pace, and of course, we’re going to hit those first available threes, kung mayroon,” Ayo said.
“But kung wala, we’re going to execute our schemes. We’re just going to look for the best shot available.”
Tan was lost for words after the 30-point loss.
“Wala nang masasabi kapag ganitong experience,” Tan said after emerging from the NorthPort locker room. “Sinabi ko lang sa mga players na we’ll keep on improving every day sa practice. Walang bibigay. Sana maka-recover.”
While the jury is still out on Rusbatch, who according to pro league statistics chief Fidel Mangonon III is the first New Zealander reinforcement in the PBA, Ayo maintained the 6-foot-5 member of the Tall Blacks national team is what the doctor ordered for them.
“We want imports who are willing to play within the system. Iyong nag-e-execute and these New Zealanders are known for that, and these players are fundamentally sound,” he said. “High character and he’s very contagious during practices, kung paano siya mag-ensayo, paano niya i-push iyong mga teammates niya. Very positive iyong aura niya sa team namin.”
Import Marcus Weathers paced the Batang Pier with 37 points and 12 caroms, while Arvin Tolentino had 12 markers and six rebounds.
JM Calma got 10 points for a NorthPort crew which missed the services of gunner Robert Bolick (hamstring) and veteran Arwind Santos (knee).
