Tough test? No problem for FiberXers

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CONVERGE interim coach Franco Atienza is convinced the young FiberXers having to play close games should only serve them in good stead.

“Maganda na rin na nasusubukan rin namin ito. Maganda na rin na nate-test iyong players namin, kami as coaches na paano mag-prepare for a quick turnaround,” Atienza said. “Okay na rin, at least pagdating mo doon sa playoffs, where it matters the most, medyo hindi na kami maninibago.

“You have to go through that. Mahirap talaga iyong sport. Mahirap iyong competition. Maraming factors pero at the end of the day, kailangan mo pa rin pagdaanan iyon and doon ka titibay,” he added.

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Atienza spoke after Converge essayed a 103-96 victory over a suddenly struggling Rain or Shine side last Tuesday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Atienza took pride in his troops’ efforts against the Elasto Painters.

“Credit also to the other team. Going into this game, we know Rain or Shine likes to run. They know they’re an offensive-minded team, not taking anything away from their defense. They are No. 2 in scoring, 108 points per game. We were able to limit them at 96 points tapos iyong fast break points nila somehow, medyo ahead din kami,” Atienza said. “But we have to ask first bakit kami down 17 points in the first quarter. At least, okay naman nakabalik kami, which is really a grind out. Medyo mahirap match-upan iyong one-on-one. We know we have to be better on our one-on-one defense. Their fast-break attacks. Medyo nasaktan din kami sa post-up. So, it took a lot of our energy. It took the whole team para ma-stop sila kasi alam namin one-on-one mahirapan kami. Dinala kami sa takbuhan pati doon sa ilalim. It’s just nice na kahit paano nakakuha kami ng—naibalik naming iyong, na-gain naming iyong momentum ulit somewhere in the second, late first.”

Alec Stockton showed the way for Converge with 21 points, four rebounds, and five assists while Jordan Heading added 17 markers and three boards.

Justin Arana and Kevin Racal also had 15 and D 13 points, respectively, as the FiberXers recovered from a painful 96-98 loss to the TNT Tropang Giga last Saturday and rose to 7-3.

Rain or Shine fell to its second loss in a row, including a 91-93 defeat to Phoenix also last Saturday for a 5-3 slate.

Converge’s final two outings in the eliminations against Blackwater (Jan. 19) and defending champion San Miguel Beer (Jan. 24) will all the more prove if the FiberXers have what it takes.

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