ARWIND Santos and Encho Serrano are not - will not be - going to Converge.
This was how Converge team manager Jacob Lao politely addressed rumors that circulated online on Tuesday saying the two Pampangueno dribblers are already preparing to mount PBA comebacks via the FiberXers.
READ Pineda reveals reason behind Encho move from PBA to MPBL
The two are part of the stable of Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda and were both part of the Giant Lanterns side that won the last MPBL title.
Pineda, if you don't know, has close links with Converge and was in fact nominated to be team manager and later the franchise's representative to the PBA board of governors before it was thumbed down, supposedly because the league's policy-making body wants to remain 'apolitical.'
However, Lao made it clear that contrary to the rumor, there are no plans to bring Santos and Serrano to Converge. And even if they plan to, the FiberXers can't because the signing rights of the two belong to their mother teams 'in perpetuity.'
“Pareho po silang may rights with other teams. Si Arwind po ay under Northport, si Encho po ay sa Phoenix,” said the soft-spoken former Ateneo Blue Eagles guard.
Serrano was drafted by Phoenix, but he declined a two-year deal offered by the Fuel Masters to sign with Pampanga in the MPBL. Santos, 42, last played for the Batang Pier in his 17th and final season in the pro league.
The youthful Lao was very polite when asked if there is any Converge interest in the two.
“We would want to have them in the team but right now, we can’t just sign them up. Kasi nga po mate-technical kami,” added Lao.
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.
