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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Converge to carry FiberXers moniker next season

Converge to carry FiberXers moniker next season

Published Apr 5, 2022 08:44 pm

The Philippine Basketball Association welcomes its newest member Converge FiberXers. (Noel B. Pabalate)

Converge will carry the moniker FiberXers for its maiden foray in the Philippine Basketball Association next season with some of the former members of the old Alaska franchise on board.

Owners Dennis and Grace Uy led an extravagant team launch at the EDSA Shangri-La in Mandaluyong City Tuesday, April 5 with coach Jeffrey Cariaso and cager Jeron Teng leading the former Aces who will now be donning the violet colors of the FiberXers.

Cariaso has retained his coaching staff which includes Danny Ildefonso, Joe Silva, Monch Gavierres and Franco Atienza.

Former Alaska team governor Dickie Bachmann and official CK Kanapi-Daniolco will also be part of the new squad, as are team doctor Facundo Sun and trainers Gus Vargas and Michael Braga.

They’ll be under new management led by the Uy couple from Pampanga along with former PBA commissioner Chito Salud, who’ll have a dual role on the boardroom as governor and on the bench as team manager.

Also part of the management side is Pampanga governor Dennis Pineda who will serve as consultant. Pineda, who also runs the Pampanga Delta in the National Basketball League, and Uy are friends.

“We are excited to commence our journey to build a track record and legacy of excellence, innovation, character, discipline, devotion and sportsmanship worthy of the respect of PBA fans,” Uy said.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial was also on hand to welcome Converge to the fold, saying that he expects the FiberXers to be worthy member.

High expectations raised by the Uys are something Salud are hoping to meet once they set foot onto the PBA stage.

But so far, Salud is still working on finalizing the lineup with plenty of time to go before the league’s 47th season tips off in early-June.

Teng was joined in the launch by Allyn Bulanadi, Jaycee Marcelino, Bryan Faundo, Ben Adamos and Rey Publico, but Salud said negotiations are still being finalized with players coming from Alaska whose contracts have expired.

Trades are also being explored while Converge will also inherit the two first round picks of Alaska for the May 15 draft.

“Constant recalibration yan. No team is idle, no team is stagnant. We will have to evolve,” said Salud.

“What we want now is stability and that we can expect from the coaching staff that we retained. This team performed decently in the last conference and we expect that at the very least.

“Add a few more pieces with our draft picks and some trades, then who knows?” he added.

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Chito Salud Converge FiberXers philippine basketball association
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