Among the players rumored to be interested in playing for the Converge FiberXers in the future are Mikey Williams, Dave Ildefonso, and Jeri Cruz.

But do they have a place on the team? In order to acquire them, are the FiberXers even considering sacrificing current players?

In an interview, Pineda stated that Converge is finished dealing, at least for the time being, and is entirely focused on improving on their franchise-best quarterfinal performance in the Governors’ Cup, which opened the season.

“Maayos ang takbo ng team, so sa ngayon, hindi namin iniisip ang magpalit ng tao o pumasok sa trade,” stated the Pampanga province’s governor.

“Sabi nga nila, why fix when it is not broken. So yun ang mindset namin ngayon sa Converge. Lahat ng players ibinibigay ang lahat sa bawat laro. So susuklian namin sila ng loyalty. Lahat ng nakasama namin sa simula, makakasama namin hanggang sa dulo,” he added.

Pineda revealed that Converge’s current goal is to recover and mature in time for the upcoming PBA playoffs, when the FiberXers, as the third seed, would play No. 6 Rain or Shine in a quarterfinal series.

“Experience na lang at kaunting jelling ang kailangan ng team then I believe kaya na naming sumabay sa mga mas malalaking teams,” Pineda noted.

The soft-spoken, two-time MPBL champion coach, however, was evasive when asked if he would be interested in any of the players mentioned.

“Hindi pa muna naming iniisip yan kasi mas nakatuon kami sa present at ito ‘yung conference ngayon. Masaya kami kasi pumapalag ang team at ang dami naming come-from-behind wins na nagpapakita sa nag-i-improve na character ng team,” he said.

Converge is undoubtedly one of the top priority destinations for players with expiring contracts because of the way they treat their players with generous salary and benefits.

Furthermore, it is no longer surprising that the players stated above have grown to value the care they receive from Converge’s administration, as the most of them, including Williams and Ildefonso, have played for the team’s affiliate, Strong Group Athletics.

“Sana maganda ang maging campaign namin at sana mas mag-improve pa ang laro ng buong team,” the Coach said.

Meanwhile, at the conclusion of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at the Philsports Arena on Friday, RAIN or Shine defeated TNT 106-96 to secure the No. 6 seed in the playoffs.

In the quarterfinals, the Elasto Painters pulled away from the Tropang Giga halfway through the fourth quarter, avoiding a playoff for the eighth position.

As a result, Rain or Shine will play third-seeded Converge in a best-of-three series in the quarterfinals rather than facing Magnolia in the match for the No. 8 seed on Sunday.

In contrast, the Tropang Giga managed to secure the No. 2 seed and the advantage of having two chances to defeat the No. 7 Eastern team in the upcoming round.

Rain or Shine needed to end a two-game losing streak in order to secure its seventh victory and a spot in the Top Six, which was its original objective.

Anton Asistio finished with 21 points and made six of his seven three-point attempts, while Deon Thompson scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. Santi Santillan, who scored 20 points on 5 of 8 three-pointers, also ended a slump.

Deon Thompson scored 12 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Anton Asistio finished with 21 points and hit six of his seven three-point attempts. Additionally, Santi Santillan halted a slump with 20 points on 5 of 8 three-pointers.

Thompson and Asistio led Rain or Shine to a 21-2 thumping, with Asistio making consecutive three-pointers to give Rain or Shine the largest lead of the game, 98-81. 

With 23 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led TNT to a No. 2 ranking prior to the game, but ROS was still in the thick of things until the end.

The Scores

Rain or Shine 106 – Thompson 22, Asistio 21, Santillan 20, Tiongson 13, Caracut 9, Nocum 8, Belga 5, Clarito 3, Datu 3, Malonzo 2, Norwood 0.

TNT 96 – Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 20, Pogoy 13, Erram 13, Nambatac 11, Williams 6, Razon 4, Castro 3, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 0, Exciminiano 0, Aurin 0.Quarter scores: 23-37; 57-44; 75-74; 106-96.