CONVERGE will not trade Alec Stockton.
This was the assurance made by Converge team governor Archen Cayabyab on Monday, saying management is poised to build on a young group of players, Stockton included, to make a deep run to the playoffs consistently starting in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner's Cup.
“It’s a big no,” Cayabyab told SPIN.ph on Monday. “No way na mangyayari ‘yun. Never in my dreams na I’m trading Alec Stockton.”
READ Will Converge part with Stockton for Mikey signing rights?
Stockton is fresh from his heroics in Converge’s come-from-behind 93-91 win over Magnolia last Sunday where he finished with 18 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.
The 26-year-old product of Far Eastern University made a pair of key plays down the stretch – a three to tie the game at 91, and the assist to Justin Arana for the game-winning lay-up – to complete the FiberXers’ comeback from 20 points down.
Cayabyab said Stockton is more than just an excellent player during games.
“What more can you ask from Alec Stockton. Napakabait na bata, ‘yung work ethic niya grabe, focused. Maraming binabato na negative things sa kanya pero kumbaga, he is very professional. Wala ka nang hahanapin pa kay Alec Stockton,” said Cayabyab.
Cayabyab said he wants to shut down talk about a possible trade involving Stockton for good especially now that he is playing well for the FiberXers, averaging 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.7 assists through three games with Converge.
“Gusto ko lang i-shutdown kasi ayokong maapektuhan ‘yung bata sa ganda ng nilalaro ng n'ya. Siya ‘yung isa sa mga heart and soul ng Converge. Si Justin (Arana), Schonny Winston, Jordan Heading, binubuo kasi namin ‘yung core na maging maganda. Bakit pa ako magbabawas,” said Cayabyab, who is also excited with the upcoming arrival of No. 1 draft choice Justine Baltazar.
“No way. Hindi mangyayari ‘yan [trading Alec Stockton],” said Cayabyab.
No interest in Mikey
Cayabyab added Converge is not interested in acquiring Mikey Williams from TNT.
“Wala talaga eh,” said Cayabyab when asked about any interest in Williams, who led TNT to two championships and won two Finals MVPs but has not played with the squad since 2023, although TNT has kept its rights which it can trade to other teams.
Cayabyab said Converge will take a hands-off approach on Williams.
“Kung ano man ‘yung nangyari sa kanya sa Talk ‘N Text, labas ako doon eh. Ang main concern ko lang is paano ko ma-build ‘yung Converge, kung paano ko mapunta sa championship. Sa other teams, wala talaga.
"Kung ano man ‘yung problema nya doon, labas ako. Nasa kanya na ‘yun kung makipag-ayos siya doon. Mabuti kung maayos niya, pero wala talaga [interest],” said Cayabyab, himself a former player of National University in the UAAP.
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