MANILA, Philippines – The PBA Governors Cup’s CONVERGE has just scored one goal. When the FiberXers take on the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, they now plan to stay on course towards a different objective.

Converge, which is already guaranteed a spot in the post-eliminations round, aims to win its second game in a row and seventh game overall to earn itself another reward: the top four teams will receive a twice-to-beat advantage in the eight-team quarterfinals.

Phoenix’s goal is much more modest but also more challenging: it is to improve its 2 to 5 record and keep winning games in order to advance to the final eight.

Coach Jamike Jarin places more importance on his Fuel Masters continuing to play as a team and getting better with each game.

We’re simply going game by game, Jarin said. As you’ve seen with the seven games that we’ve played, no matter the score, we just give it our all.

It’s always been a team effort, Jarin continued, “because that’s the battling heart of the culture we’re trying to create.

It might be better with victories, but as long as we have a chance, we’ll keep learning and giving it our all. “We have a very young squad, so there will be growing pains,” the team member added. “Of course, it could be better with wins, but as long as we have a chance, we’ll continue to keep learning and giving it our all.”

Converge has already demonstrated that it is extremely capable of putting on excellent all-around performances. The team started the competition out with a perfect 4 to 0 record before defeating Blackwater last Thursday, 98 to 90, to secure a playoff position.

Coach Aldin Ayo acknowledged his team’s gratitude for earning the spot but underlined that much work remains for the FiberXers. After the Bossing game, he said, “We still need to improve our game.”

Ayo said, “I always advise the players to keep developing our squad because it doesn’t truly stop.” The team should be complete as long as they are in the running, but there are many players missing and we have a lot of work to do.

Du’vaughnn Maxwell is expected to make up for his ejection in a victory against Terrafirma of 125 to 100, and Javee Mocon is anticipated to put up a better showing than his 13 points and four assists in his conference debut against the Dyip. Phoenix should prove to be a difficult opponent to overcome.

Jarin asked, “Imagine if he had been with us for the first six games.” “It doesn’t guarantee us a win but he would have been a big help, offensively and defensively.”