ANTIPOLO – Converge, unexpected by many, fell to its second straight defeat on Wednesday to start its PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup.
The FiberXers have yet to perform at par with expectations following a major upgrade during the offseason where they got Calvin Abueva and Mikey Williams in two separate deals that brought depth to the squad.
READ: CJ Cansino, Meralco catch fire late to take down Converge
Converge was defeated by Meralco, 109-88, on Wednesday to fall to 1-2, following a shocking 111-100 overtime defeat against Terrafirma last Saturday.
Converge coach Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda isn't blind to their struggles as the FiberXers are already dealing with injuries and illnesses this early in the conference.
Already without Abueva for the first three games of the conference, Converge also missed the services of Juan Gomez de Liano due to a knee injury. Alec Stockton topscored for the FiberXers with 18 points but played through an illness.
“Third game namin right now tapos injured ‘yung isa namin si Juan, and Alec, not 100 percent, may sakit. Talagang struggle pa kami right now,” Pineda shared.
Chemistry is also being worked on, according to Pineda, as the FiberXers are still finding the right mix in order for the team's potential to be maximized.
“We need to prepare. Kailangan kong tanggapin na maraming bago sa team. Kailangan talaga ng full chemistry pa sa sitwasyon ngayon. It doesn't mean na may mga dumating ka, pang-laban na agad,” the Pampanga vice governor added.
“Sinabi ko naman from the beginning, it doesn't mean na may mga dumating ka eh panlaban na agad,” he added.
Though it remains early in the conference, the FiberXers are already starting to enter their schedule where they face the traditional playoff contenders, where losses could be crucial to their bid for the best seed possible.
Converge plays Philippine Cup champion San Miguel in its next game on Wednesday, and Barangay Ginebra on March 29 in a rematch of last conference's quarterfinal series.
“Praying na unti-unti na makuha ‘yung sitwasyon na ‘yun and hoping na wala na sanang mga injuries. Even Calvin, waiting for Calvin para makatulong. Hindi ko rin magamit. Three games na kami hindi pa rin magamit, then sumabay pa itong injury in Juan,” said Pineda.
When asked if the flat start worries him, Pineda said yes.
“Siyempre worried pa rin kasi 'yung time na nagkaroon kami ng trade, late na eh. Wala kami talagang time na to adjust pa. Dumating ang import, dumating ang players, talagang kulang na kulang ‘yung time namin," he admitted.
"So talagang during this conference, doon kami kukuha ng adjustment para makuha namin ‘yung chemistry ng team namin."
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