JONNEL Policarpio has emerged as a key piece in Converge's rotation in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, making the additional minutes count as he finally finds his place in a crowded FiberXers rotation.
Policarpio logged a conference-high 13 points in the 105-89 win in Game Three on Tuesday night that gave the FiberXers a 2-1 lead over Rain or Shine and moved them on the verge of a first-ever semifinal appearance in franchise history.
The 6-5 forward also had seven rebounds, matching his best output of the conference just last Friday in Game 2, while putting his length to good use on defense with three steals while tasked to guard Rain or Shine top scorer Adrian Nocum.
“Jonnel is doing good,” Converge coach Delta Pineda said. “Alam niya ‘yung role niya sa team especially on defense. Kahit bata pa, sumasabay na. If you’re talking about Poli, big contribution naman siya sa team namin.”
READ Delta Pineda says Calvin Abueva value to Converge never grow old
This resurgence should mark a turnaround in the PBA career of the former De La Salle standout, who hardly made an impact in a few conferences with NLEX since being acquired with the No. 6 pick in the Season 49 Draft in 2024.
The Pampanga native was expected to shine as soon as he joined Pineda and fellow Kapampangans like Justine Baltazar at Converge in the multi-team trade that sent Schonny Winston and Kevin Racal to NLEX, Kurt Reyson to Converge, and Javee Mocon to Meralco.
But Policarpio largely looked lost at Converge until things got clearer for him as far as his role in the team is in a talk with Pineda and coaching consultant Djordie Jovicic.
“Nung una, nahihirapan ako kung ano ang role ko sa team. Kinausap ako ni Boss Delta and Boss Djordje kung ano ‘yung role ko sa team which is dumepensa and rebound.
“Paunti-unti, nakukuha ko na ‘yun,” said Policarpio, 25.
In the elims, the 24-year-old averaged 3.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.6 steals. But through three games in the quarterfinals, Policarpio is averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 2.0 steals.
“Sinusulit ko lang ‘yung opportunity na binibigay sa akin,” he said. “Sila coach Djordje, si Boss Delta, binigyan ako ng chance para makapaglaro ng ganitong minutes. Ginagawa ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko sa depensa or rebounds.
"‘Yung points sa akin, bonus na lang.”
To better fulfill his new role, the long-limbed forward said he has been doubling up on his workload in practice. The guidance of a veteran and provincemate such as Calvin Abueva has also facilitated his growth, he added.
“Si Kuya Calvin, lagi akong gina-guide lalo na sa depensa, kung ano ang gagawin, kung paano ko gagamitin ‘yung haba ko,” he said. “Sinisipagan ko lang sa practice. Sabi sa akin, gawin ko lang ‘yung trabaho kong dumepensa at rumebound.
“Thankful lang po ako kila coach at Boss Delta na binibigyan ako ng ganitong minuto. Hindi ko naman sinasayang ‘yung opportunity na binibigay sa akin.”
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.
