JORDAN Heading felt right at home at Converge that he didn’t think twice when an offer was extended for him to join the FiberXers in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Team deputy coach Charles Tiu admitted he and Converge manager Jacob Lao were the ones who persuaded the Fil-Aussie hitman to play for the franchise and wear the team’s purple and white jersey.
Heading’s previous stint with Tiu and the Strong Group Athletics owned by the Lao family paved the way for his eventual transfer from Terrafirma to Converge.
COLUMN: Heading trade accelerates growth of young Converge team
“Yes, kami ni Boss Jacob,” Tiu relayed to SPIN.ph of how the three-year old franchise was able to secure its biggest catch so far this season outside of No. 1 rookie pick Justine Baltazar.
“He had a few options, but I think he trusted me and wanted to play for me again, so I was able to convince him.”
Twice, Tiu – also head coach of College of St. Benilde – handled Heading under the Strong Group team that played in the Dubai International Basketball Championships early this year, and later in the Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei.
The team finished runner-up in Dubai and emerged champion in Taiwan.
With the 28-year-old Heading becoming familiar with the system of Tiu and consultant Rajko Toroman, it was just a matter of time before the FiberXers would land the rights on the former Gilas player.
“Sila Gov. Archen (Cayabyab) ang nag-work ng trade,” said Tiu.
Heading was the first overall pick by Terrafirma in the special draft pool in 2020, but never suited up for the Dyip as he opted to take his act to the T1 League of Taiwan (Taichung Wagor Suns) and the Nagasaki Velca in the Japan B.League.
He also had a brief stint with the West Adelaide Bearcats in Australia.
LOOK: Jordan Heading is in town: so where's he headed?
But recently, Heading was sighted at the Ynares Center in Antipolo as he watched Game 1 of the PBA Governors Cup finals between TNT and Barangay Ginebra.
The 6-foot-2 shooting guard said he’s not signed by any team back then.
“There are some talks here and there,” Heading said back then. “Hopefully, I can work on something now.”
But one thing was obvious – Heading expressed his great desire to finally get his PBA career going.
“It’s a great league. I love to play here, so let’s see what happens,” he said.
Two weeks after, he finally found his home with Converge.
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