CONVERGE officially named Archen Cayabyab yesterday as its new alternate governor, effective immediately.
The PBA board of governors had green-lighted the appointment earlier this week.
Cayabyab replaced former league commissioner Atty. Chito Salud as the team’s alternate governor.
For Cayabyab, being appointed as a team official of a PBA squad is a full-circle moment.
He was a former student-athlete for Letran and National University and briefly played in the defunct PBL before transitioning to a corporate career.
“Talagang masaya ako dahil after 20 years, after ko maglaro sa PBL, hindi ko alam na dito rin ako babagsak sa PBA,” Cayabyab said. “After I stopped playing, I got married and went into a private life.
“It’s a very good experience para sa akin at makakasama ko rin iyong mga dati kong kasama sa basketball,” he added.
Cayabyab has been handling numerous hotels and resorts businesses after his playing career.
During his time at Letran, Cayabyab became good friends with Converge coach Aldin Ayo, and at NU, he got to know Danny Ildefonso. Ildefonso is the big man coach of the FiberXers.
“Kami ni coach Aldin, first time ko mag-Manila noon magkasama na kami noon sa Letran. Kinuha nila ako pero hindi pa maganda credentials ko noon. Nilagay nila ako sa high school pero naglalaro ako sa college. Kaya me and coach Aldin are very close,” Cayabyab said.
“Kami naman ni Danny I, nagsama kami sa NU. Pagdating ko doon, paakyat na si Danny I noon. Ang nakasama ko nun sila Alfie Grijaldo, Lordy Tugade, Jeff Napa, at Chico Manabat, iyon iyong first time naming pumasok sa Final Four.”
