A game against the crowd darlings inside an expected jam-packed venue south of Manila.

Odds are certainly stacked against Converge heading into its showdown against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Batangas City Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 21.

But they are all for it.

Head coach Franco Atienza welcomed the challenge of facing the Kings (3-1) in the 7:30 p.m. affair, noting that it would be a good test for his young but brimming with potential FiberXers squad (3-2).

“We just want to compete and somehow make a good run on offense and defense. Bring in what we do best, hopefully in the end we have a chance to get the game somehow,” said Atienza whose Converge is coming into the contest on a two-game win streak.

“Medyo out of town pa the venue will be for sure against. It will be a good test for us,” he added.

Good thing, Atienza doesn’t anymore need to motivate his players even if they are now in the middle of a hectic schedule where the team is now playing its third game in a week's span.

Facing Ginebra alone is enough to motivate the players.

“I think it’s gonna be a huge challenge everytime you go up against Ginebra, you gotta bring your A game,” said Converge guard Jordan Heading.

“There’s a reason why they got so many Gilas guys, there’s a reason why they have always been on the top of the standings and always competing on the standings. They are just a class organization and a wonderful ball club,” he added.

“It’s gotta be a really fun challenge and we've been looking forward to this matchup for so long.”

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone, likewise, is wary of Converge especially with its complete lineup that features a solid big man rotation in Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar and import Cheick Diallo, and a potent guard lineup that has Heading, Alec Stockton and Schonny Winston.

“Their guard lineup is very strong. The backcourt that’s a really strong backcourt. Their import is long and active so Justine is one of those we have to worry about but not the whole thing we want to worry about,” said Cone.