ANTIPOLO – A crack appears to be showing now in what was once a solid partnership between Converge and import Kylor Kelley.
The FiberXers lamented the dip in Kelley’s game against the Magnolia Hotshots that was one of the crucial factors in a 106-94 loss on Sunday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations.
READ Magnolia gives playoff bid a major boost, deepens Converge woes
The 28-year-old Kelley only had seven points, six rebounds, and a steal in the 26 minutes he was on the floor, a far cry from his averages of 13.2 points, 16.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
The former G League All-Defensive Team member was a -4 in points’ differential, though he hit a perfect 3-of-3 from the field.
He was obviously outplayed by his 37-year-old counterpart at Magnolia in Clint Chapman, who finished with a game-high 22 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and two block shots.
Converge coach Delta Pineda believes Kelley’s lowest production for the conference was a major factor for the team’s sixth loss in eight outings.
“Ito yung pinakamababang production niya,” said Pineda as the Converge coaching staff headed towards the exit of the Ynares Center here.
With Kelley out of sync, Pineda opted to take him out with still five minutes left in the game and went with an all-Filipino crew.
Behind the hot shooting of rookie Juan Gomez De Liano, Converge cut a 14-point deficit to just 98-91 entering the final two minutes.
But the Hotshots weren’t to be denied as Chapman, Paul Lee, and Rome Dela Rosa combined to put away Magnolia's fourth win in eight outings.
In the wake of the critical loss to the FiberXers’ playoff hopes, Pineda admitted the option of bringing in a new import is being discussed, although he’s aware doing it at this point is easier than done.
“We’re planning, pero sunud-sunod yung araw kasi. I don’t know kung aabot pa,” said the Converge coach.
“But for now, ang adjustment namin for the next game either we have an import or not, I would like na ma-maximize namin yung mga locals.”
The team however, needs to act right away as its next game would be this coming Wednesday against no less than Bol Bol and the defending champion TNT Tropang 5G.
Pineda is not totally ruling out the 7-foot Kelley, hoping he’ll be able to redeem himself in the next game.
“If he’ll not perform on the next game, labas. Susugalan na namin yung locals namin,” said the Converge coach.
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