ALTHOUGH several ace Filipino cagers have opted to bring their acts overseas, Converge coach Jeff Cariaso is hoping the young guns will join the PBA draft set next month.
“There’s a lot of young talent out there. I hope you don’t lose them to other countries,” Cariaso said.
“I hope they still believe in Philippine basketball and believe in our country. I hope they are still going to believe in the PBA,” he added.
Cariaso is convinced Asia’s first play-for-pay league remains as the best option for those eligible to apply in the annual proceedings.
“Nothing against those who have left but I’m just hoping that the guys really consider the PBA,” Cariaso said. “No matter what happens, at the end of the day, we still are the best league in Asia, and I truly believe that.”
A slew of amateur standouts has chosen greener pastures the past two years.
The likes of brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks Jr, Kobe Paras, Dwight Ramos, Javi Gomez de Liaño, Kemark Cariño, and Matthew Aquino are proving their worth in the Japan B.League.
Jordan Heading and Jason Brickman are playing in Taiwan, while 7-foot-3 center Kai Sotto is plying his trade in the Australia’s National Basketball League.
The FiberXers management is negotiating for possible offers to former Alaska players such as Allyn Bulanadi, Kevin Racal, Rob Herndon, Alec Stockton, Jaycee Marcelino, Rey Publico, and Bryan Faundo.
Only Jeron Teng, Ben Adamos, and Taylor Browne have existing contracts with Alaska before it was bought lock, stock, and barrel by ICT Solutions of Pampanga billionaire Dennis Anthony Uy.
“We’ve had two meetings. May plano kami on how to form our team. We have the luxury of options because aside from three players, everyone is expiring,” Cariaso said.
“We have options there and we are excited with our draft picks.”
Converge also has the third, fourth, and 15th picks in the draft, with the fourth selection it got from Phoenix Super LPG after it shipped former star Vic Manuel last year.
“This is one thing that I’ve been waiting for. One of the picks, the Vic Manuel trade. We will get to see who we will get for him. What’s nice is that the foundation is what we’ve already established. Is there a need to tweak and make changes? Of course,” Cariaso said.
“We want to be better. We want to be competitive. We are looking forward to the new crop of players and even coaches for the team.”
