IF you have been closely watching the first two games of Converge in the PBA Philippine Cup, you may have noticed that Danny Ildefonso is not on the bench.
The FiberXers overhauled the coaching staff with Pampanga governor Dennis Pineda named first assistant coach. Also appointed to the coaching staff were Chico Manabat, Manny Dandan, and Tino Pinat.
Meanwhile, Charles Tiu, the team's assistant coach, has also been replaced.
READ: Delta Pineda now a Converge deputy coach
But there should be no worries over Ildefonso's tenure at Converge. As gathered by SPIN.ph from ballclub sources, Ildefonso remains part of the coaching staff despite his being absent in the team's last two games.
The two-time PBA MVP is reportedly on leave so he can devote more time to his political campaign as candidate for councilor in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, his hometown.
At Converge, Ildefonso's main task is to develop the team's bigs. The FiberXers have two of the PBA's tallest players in 6-7 Justin Arana and 6-9 Justine Baltazar, who are being primed to match up against PBA bigs such as San Miguel's eight-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo.
Currently, Converge has a 1-1 record in the Philippine Cup.
GAME 3 VENUE DILEMMA FOR PVL
Game Three of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals between Creamline and Petro Gazz is at risk of being played away from the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Big Dome, usually home to the big PVL matches, is set to host the first two games of the best-of-three championship series on Apr. 8 (Tuesday) and Apr. 10 (Thursday).
It will also play host to the battle for third place between Akari and Choco Mucho on the same dates.
But if either series goes the distance, the rubber match might not take place at the Big Dome because another league had booked the venue ahead of the PVL, whose deciding game is set on April 12.
A source told SPIN.ph that the UAAP had booked the historic Cubao venue months ago for the Season 87 volleyball tournaments.
UAAP games scheduled on that date at the Big Dome are men’s and women’s volleyball matches that pit University of the East against University of Santo Tomas and Adamson against Far Eastern University.
The PVL’s Plan B is to bring the rubber match to the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, which also hosted the 2024 Reinforced Conference Finals between Creamline and Akari.
ENCISO SOON TO BE A TROPANG 5G?
SIMON Enciso is officially out of the San Miguel Beer roster.
Sources from within the team said the 34-year-old Fil-Am guard is now an unrestricted free agent and can already choose which team he could play for as per PBA rules.
Enciso played for four years with the Beermen and won two championships with the organization.
SPIN.ph learned from sources that Enciso is eyeing a return to TNT, where he suited up during the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
READ Enciso weighs options as he turns unrestricted free agent
The Tropang 5G’s backcourt position has been left with a huge hole following the season-ending injury suffered by heart and soul Jayson Castro.
Commissioner’s Cup Finals MVP Rey Nambatac alternated in running the plays for the team during its recent best-of-seven title series against Barangay Ginebra along with Brian Heruela, and rookie Jielo Razon.
Kim Aurin, a natural two guard, was at times converted doing the point guard chores during the blockbuster finals which went the full route in favor of TNT.
By the way, Enciso was the second guard let go by San Miguel prior to the start of the Philippine Cup after it traded Avan Nava and a second round pick in Season 50 to Northport for third year big man JM Calma.
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