CONVERGE will show up simply with one thing in mind—hurdle defending champion San Miguel Beer and boost its bid for a top-two finish.
Whether the FiberXers can get the job done will be known when they tackle the Beermen today in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The match is set at 7:30 p.m. after TNT tries to vent its ire on Phoenix in the curtain-raiser at 5.
“Kung papalarin, we want that (top two and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals). But we’ll take care of what is at present. Sa ngayon ang present for us is San Miguel,” FiberXers interim coach Franco Atienza said.
“Kahit manalo kami, iyong ibang games may-bearing pa rin. Pero ayaw namin dumating doon (possible tie) na we don’t take care of the things in our control,” he added.
Converge downed Rain or Shine 103-96 last Jan. 14 and hiked its mark to 8-3.
With big man Justin Arana doubtful due to a knee injury, the likes of import Cheick Diallo, Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston, and Justine Baltazar will be counted upon anew by the FiberXers.
“We’ll do our best with or without Arana. Confident naman kami on our other guys. It’s always next man up for us,” Atienza said.
SMB will go into the duel smarting from a sorry 104-105 loss to NorthPort last Tuesday.
Reinforcement Malik Pope, reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano, and Juami Tiongson will carry the Beermen’s fight for survival as they hold a 4-6 card in a tie with the Magnolia Hotshots and NLEX Road Warriors.