ARCHIE Concepcion had his best game of his young PBA career during Converge’s knockout quarterfinal game against Barangay Ginebra last December 28.
Unfortunately, Concepcion’s 18-point night went for naught as the FiberXers were defeated by the Gin Kings, 99-98, in overtime no thanks to Stephen Holt’s game-winning three at the buzzer.
READ Balti, Converge deputy Dimatulac summoned for 'cooking' gesture
But the 29-year-old Concepcion looks forward to becoming a better version of himself and the FiberXers doing the same thing after such a heartache of a defeat.
“Malaking tulong po sa amin ito,” said Concepcion. “Binigyan kami ng ganitong experience. At least, sa susunod, alam na namin ‘yung gagawin namin.”
Concepcion was drafted by Blackwater during Season 48 in 2023 but the 37th selection only played briefly before rejoining the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL. He didn't rejoin the team until this conference.
As great as Concepcion’s performance in that knockout game was, there were also mistakes along the way.
One such glaring mistake came during the final moments of the fourth quarter when he bit on RJ Abarrientos’ pump fake on a three-point shot, leading to a shooting foul and three free throws that put Ginebra ahead, 83-81.
Shortly after the game, Concepcion and Abarrientos were seen hugging each other in an act of sportsmanship. In the series opener, the two had an instance where Abarrientos got hurt while Concepcion was defending him.
On the postgame moment with Abarrientos, Concepcion said: “Sa akin naman po, sabi ko sa kanya trabaho lang. Nag-sorry po ako na hindi ko naman intention na ganun na manakit. Pero at least, napaliwanag ko ‘yun at sabi ko, sorry, trabaho lang.”
Concepcion made no qualms that the crucial foul on Abarrientos was due to inexperience.
“Siguro sa side ko, talagang nandoon pa ako sa part na baguhan pa ako sa ligang ito. At least, sa susunod, alam na po namin ‘yung gagawin,” said Concepcion, who averaged 7.2 points for the FiberXers during the elimination round.
“Nandoon po ‘yung frustration na kung na-stop po namin ‘yun, baka mag-iba ‘yung sitwasyon talaga. Talagang wala kaming magagawa. ‘Yun ang desisyon ng referee,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
