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Phoenix, Converge in crucial tiff

Sports | Basketball

Phoenix, Converge in crucial tiff

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

Phoenix and Converge figure in a duel crucial to their respective bids in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, April 26.

Phoenix and Converge figure in a duel crucial to their respective bids in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, April 26.

Tip-off of the clash is at 5:15 p.m., with the Fuel Masters looking to inch closer for the Top 4 in the quarterfinals while the FiberXers are needing a victory to stay in contention for the playoffs.

Following suit in the contest is the clash between Ginebra, which is aiming for a solo second, and Titan Ultra, hoping to arrest a three-game slide, in the second game at 7:30 p.m.

Although desperately fighting for survival, Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu warned his team against complacency especially against a talent-laden Converge.

Tiu should know as he was also once part of the FiberXers coaching staff and their level of talent do not really reflect on the team standings.

“It’s going to be a tough matchup. I really think they’re a great, great team. I think they’ve got a great staff. They’re all good friends. It’s going to be fun to go up against them,” said Tiu, who will be facing Converge for the first time since his departure from the team.

“We can take care of business if we win against them. But we’ve got to prepare,” he added.

James Dickey III will be at the forefront of the attack for Phoenix alongside the likes of Ricci Rivero, Ken Tuffin, Tyler Tio and Evan Nelle.

For the part of Converge, it will be parading new import and interestingly, former Phoenix reinforcement Donovan Smith. Expected to support him are Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Juan Gomez de Liano, Mikey Williams, Alec Stockton and Calvin Abueva.

Related Tags

Phoenix Fuel Masters Converge FiberXers PBA PBA Commissioner\'s Cup

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