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Tag: Converge FiberXers

  • Calvin Abueva downplays emotions in his first matchup against Titan Ultra

    Calvin Abueva downplays emotions in his first matchup against Titan Ultra

    There was no dramatic stare-down, no chest-thumping declaration of payback—just quiet efficiency and a renewed sense of purpose. When Calvin Abueva stepped onto the floor at Ynares Center, the narrative could have easily been about redemption against a former team.


    Fresh off a much-needed reset, the Converge FiberXers showed signs of life, snapping their slump with a convincing 103–82 victory over Titan Ultra. The win pushed them to a 2–5 record.

     

    Abueva’s stat line didn’t scream dominance, but it told a story of control. In just 16 minutes off the bench, he poured in 14 points on efficient shooting, grabbed five rebounds, and picked off a steal, all without committing a single turnover.

     

    What made the night more intriguing was the opponent. Titan Ultra wasn’t just another team—it was familiar territory. The split between Abueva and the franchise months earlier had its share of public tension, culminating in a February move that brought him to Converge. Yet, if there were lingering emotions, they didn’t surface under the bright lights.

     

    “Oo, close naman talaga kahit one (conference) lang ‘yung napagsamahan. Siyempre, ‘di naman iba rin ‘yung mga tropa roon,” Abueva said.

     

    Rather than revisiting old conflicts, Abueva leaned into familiarity, greeting former teammates like old friends rather than rivals. The edge many expected never materialized. Instead, what stood out was mutual respect—something that seemed to resonate on both benches.

     

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    The performance also marked a sharp turnaround from his quiet Converge debut against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, where he managed just five points. The difference, he explained, came from deliberate effort in the days leading up to the game.

     

    “Tinrabaho ko ‘yung three days na ‘yun, bago ‘tong game na ‘to. And ang resulta, mas um-OK, mas gumaan, at mas naging agresibo ako,” he said.

     

    But even as his individual form improved, Abueva was quick to deflect attention. The win, he emphasized, wasn’t about one player finding his groove—it was about a team beginning to understand itself.

     

    “Hindi lang naman kami, ang team talaga ang pagbabasehan ng lahat ng mga pinaghirapan naming panalo,” Abueva added. 

     

    That sentiment echoes the broader reality for Converge. With a roster still trying to piece together its identity, victories are less about statement games and more about small steps forward. Chemistry, not star power, remains the work in progress.

     

    As Abueva put it, quoting his coach’s advice, “Sabi nga ni Coach, baguhan pa ‘yung team, hindi pa naaayos ‘yung gusot. Hindi pa nalalabhan, at hindi pa napaplantsa.”

     

     

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  • Converge backs Alec Stockton, Delta Pineda emphasizes team growth

    Converge backs Alec Stockton, Delta Pineda emphasizes team growth

    Converge may be nursing a three-game slide in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, but inside the locker room, the tone is far from fractured. Instead of dwelling on another painful finish, head coach Delta Pineda is choosing patience and perspective.


    The FiberXers’ 103-99 loss to San Miguel had all the markings of a familiar heartbreak, a tight contest that slipped just beyond reach in the closing seconds. But rather than point fingers, Pineda made it clear that development remains the bigger picture.

     

    “Let’s give Alec a chance,” the incumbent Pampanga vice governor said shortly after the match at the Ynares Center.

     

    The turning point came with 27.2 seconds remaining. Alec Stockton was called for a foul on Don Trollano, sending the veteran to the line for two free throws that broke a 99-all deadlock and handed San Miguel a 101-99 lead.

     

    The moment also echoed Stockton’s late-game miscue against Ginebra in the previous Philippine Cup quarterfinals, where a similar foul led to a heartbreaking exit. But Pineda refused to draw comparisons that would place undue weight on his young guard.

     

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    “Yung mga ganoong situation, hindi natin puwedeng isisi sa kanya. It’s part of the game, talagang sumabit eh. Pero ‘yung mga important score din, nag-deliver naman si Alec. Huwag nating i-blame doon sa bata ‘yun.” he said.

     

    Just seconds before the foul, Stockton had delivered under pressure, draining a clutch four-pointer to tie the game at 99. He finished with 17 points, eight assists, and no turnovers — a performance that highlighted his impact despite the late miscue.

     

    Beyond the result, Pineda found positives in how the team functioned as a unit. Converge tallied 25 assists, a sign that its offensive rhythm is beginning to take shape after an up-and-down stretch.

     

    “For us, this is maybe the best game for the team, at least ‘yung chemistry nandoon na especially on our assists. We had 25 assists,” he said.

     

    “We fought hard, breaks of the game lang sa huli. Even other players contributed, especially Mikey [Williams]. Unti-unti, naaanuhan natin.”

     

    That “unti-unti” progress — gradual, imperfect, but forward-moving — is what the FiberXers are choosing to hold onto. The losses may be piling up, but so are the signs of cohesion and growth.

     

    Still, the outside noise has grown louder. For the past two games, Stockton has absorbed heavy criticism on social media following late-game mistakes that proved costly for Converge.

     

    Inside the team, however, the message is clear, he has their full backing.

     

    Juan Gomez de Liaño, who has mostly been on the sidelines this season, acknowledged that slumps are a normal part of the game and expressed confidence that Stockton, who works hard in every practice, will recover.

     

    “It’s just about finding ways to recover, being mentally strong and bouncing back. We’re a hundred percent sure he will do those,” De Liaño added.

     

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  • Calvin Abueva faces PBA fine for comments on PBA referees amid Converge loss

    Calvin Abueva faces PBA fine for comments on PBA referees amid Converge loss

    Controversy and Calvin Abueva have long gone hand in hand, and Sunday night was no different.

    The PBA Commissioner’s Office summoned the Converge forward after his remarks about officiating during their loss to Barangay Ginebra.


    Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that Abueva was called in the following day, with the player even sharing a glimpse of his visit to the league office in Libis on social media. 

     

    Abueva avoided a suspension but was fined P20,000 for statements deemed detrimental to the league.

     

    “Paldo referee” and “Apat ang paldo,” Abueva said as he was caught on video by various media outlets covering the beat, while on his way to the team’s dugout after his squad loss to the Gin Kings 99-93 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    “Such a malicious and unfounded accusation against our referees cannot go unpunished,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial stated in a letter sent to Abueva.

     

    He appeared remorseful and visibly emotional during his meeting with Commissioner Willie Marcial on Monday, expressing regret over the incident.

     

    Despite being traded to the FiberXers, where he reunited with longtime patron Dennis “Delta” Pineda, Abueva has yet to fully settle in with the team struggling near the bottom of the standings at 1-4.

     

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    Yet beyond the latest fine, Abueva’s history suggests that moments like this are not isolated. Wherein 2019, the PBA handed him one of the harshest penalties in recent league history—a suspension along with a P70,000 fine after multiple incidents, including a clothesline hit on an opponent and inappropriate gestures toward a fan. 

     

    The league described the acts as serious violations of professional conduct, emphasizing the need for discipline among players.

     

    Even after returning from that suspension in 2020 under strict conditions that included counseling and behavioral guidelines, Abueva’s on-court demeanor has continued to draw scrutiny. 

     

    The league made it clear at the time that any repeat offenses could lead to further sanctions, reinforcing that his reinstatement came with expectations of change.

     

    More recently, in 2024, Abueva was again penalized—this time with a one-game suspension and a P20,000 fine for flashing a middle finger at a fan during a game. The incident showed that despite periods of resurgence in his career, his fiery personality still occasionally crosses the line set by the league.

     

    Now with Converge, Abueva finds himself at yet another crossroads. The opportunity for a fresh start is there, but so is the weight of his past.

     

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  • Alec Stockton stays grounded as Converge’s late-game woes continue

    Alec Stockton stays grounded as Converge’s late-game woes continue

    Alec Stockton has become an easy target in Converge’s recent string of heartbreaks, but the FiberXers guard is refusing to let one difficult stretch define his season.

     

    As the team absorbed another painful late-game loss Sunday night, Stockton instead leaned on perspective, choosing gratitude and composure over frustration after once again finding himself at the center of a crushing finish.

     

    Converge’s 99-93 defeat to Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum was not just another tally in the loss column. It was another game that slipped away in the final moments, and another reminder of how thin the margin has become for a team trying to stay afloat while shorthanded.

     

    For Stockton, it also meant another night where one sequence overshadowed everything else.

     

    With less than a minute left and the FiberXers still within striking distance, Stockton was tasked with inbounding the ball in a crucial possession. Instead, the play quickly turned disastrous as Scottie Thompson got a hand on the pass, Rhon Jay Abarrientos came away with it, and Justin Brownlee converted the transition chance into a layup that stretched Ginebra’s lead to 97-93.

     

    It was the kind of mistake that instantly becomes replay material, especially for a player already carrying the burden of previous late-game miscues. And in today’s basketball world, those moments rarely stay on the hardwood.

     

    Still, Stockton made it clear after the game that he understands the scrutiny that comes with playing in front of a passionate basketball audience—and that he has no plans of letting it consume him.

     

    “I’m not really on social media like that,” he told reporters moments after the loss.

    “But it’s just part of it. We’re in the entertainment business, and people have rights to their own opinion on how they view the game.”

     

    That response revealed more than just a shrug toward criticism. It reflected the mindset of a player trying to stay emotionally steady while navigating a rough patch that has become impossible to ignore.

     

    This was already the second straight game in which Stockton found himself involved in a pivotal late-game breakdown. In Converge’s previous loss to San Miguel Beer, he was called for a shooting foul on Don Trollano during a 99-all deadlock, allowing the Beermen wingman to knock down the go-ahead free throws in what became a 103-99 defeat.

     

    The pattern has only made the spotlight harsher, especially considering that Stockton had already endured a similar moment earlier in the season. During Converge’s do-or-die Philippine Cup quarterfinal against Ginebra last December, he committed the foul on Jeremiah Gray that helped the Kings extend the game to overtime before eventually stealing the win.

     

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    For many players, a run like that could quickly snowball into self-doubt. But Stockton said his focus has remained fixed on the parts of life and basketball that matter more than the criticism surrounding him.

     

    “I don’t really let it affect me,” he said.

     

    “You know, I come home to my kids, my family, and that’s who I look forward to meeting; obviously being able to gel with my teammates, being able to enjoy the game with them.”

     

    Rather than dwell on the mistakes that have followed him over the past few games, Stockton chose to frame his situation through a wider lens—one that extends far beyond one turnover, one foul, or one missed opportunity in crunch time.

     

    “And overall, just being grateful for the game of basketball. Not everybody gets to have this opportunity to play basketball for a living, that’s really everything to me already,” the 21st overall pick of the Season 46 Draft added.

     

    “Other than that, having the people to comment or what their opinion is, that’s up to them. But for me, I feel grateful and blessed to be here,” he closed.

     

    That perspective may be one of the few stabilizing forces left for a Converge side that has now dropped four straight games and continues to battle through injuries to key players.

     

    The FiberXers entered Sunday’s matchup without Calvin Abueva, Justin Arana, and Juan Gomez de Liaño, leaving them once again undermanned against one of the league’s deeper and more experienced teams. While the losses continue to mount, Stockton believes the team’s current form does not fully reflect what it can be once healthier bodies return to the lineup.

     

    “We’re confident,” Stockton said. “We’re lacking three of our main guys–Calvin, Justin Arana for today, and Juan from the past three games.”

     

    With the Holy Week break giving Converge a rare chance to regroup, Stockton sees the upcoming pause as an opportunity not only to recover physically, but also to reset mentally after a bruising stretch of close defeats.

     

    “We have some time to kinda recover for this Holy Week, we don’t play till the 10th, so hopefully, we’re complete by then.”

     

    For now, Converge remains stuck in a frustrating cycle where every mistake is magnified and every close game seems to tilt the wrong way. But Stockton’s stance suggests he is not running from the weight of those moments, even if they continue to follow him.

     

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  • Slow start, steady rise: Mikey Williams finding form for Converge amid PBA struggles

    Slow start, steady rise: Mikey Williams finding form for Converge amid PBA struggles

    The Converge FiberXers have stumbled out of the gates in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, managing just a single win against four losses to sit near the bottom of the standings in 11th place. While their record paints a grim picture, recent performances suggest the team may be inching toward better form.

     

    Their latest outing—a narrow 103-99 defeat to the San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday, March 25, at the Ynares Center—offered a mix of frustration and optimism. Despite falling short, Converge showed flashes of cohesion, particularly on the offensive end, where ball movement and playmaking were noticeably improved.

     

    A key bright spot in the loss was the resurgence of veteran guard Mikey Williams. After a sluggish start to the conference, Williams delivered a more composed and impactful performance, finishing with 14 points on 33 percent shooting while also contributing three rebounds and eight assists. The outing marked a significant leap from his first three games, where he averaged just 3.3 points on a dismal 14 percent shooting clip.

     

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    Williams’ early struggles can largely be attributed to limited preparation time. The Filipino-American guard only joined Converge’s training camp a week before the Commissioner’s Cup tipped off, leaving him little opportunity to build chemistry with his teammates or fully integrate into the system.

     

    “My objective is to just keep stacking days. I’m in the lab everyday. I have got to keep working. I know I have played this game my entire life and things will come when they come. I’m not putting too much pressure on that. I’m just trying to do the little things to help my team so far,” Williams said in a media interaction.

    Beyond his scoring, Williams’ playmaking stood out as a crucial factor in keeping Converge competitive. The FiberXers actually out-assisted the Beermen, 25-23, a sign that their offensive execution is beginning to take shape despite the losses.

     

    “I have always been a willing passer. I’m just a playmaker. I have always molded my game around that. But guys are just knocking them down and I’m finding the right people in the right places,” he added.

     

    The numbers may not yet fully reflect it, but Williams’ growing comfort within the team’s system is evident. His ability to orchestrate the offense and create opportunities for teammates could prove vital as Converge looks to turn its campaign around in the coming weeks.

     

    “I’m still adjusting to everything. I’m still in the adjustment period but slowly but steadily, everything is going in the right direction for me. Morale wise, I think that’s the biggest takeaway for me,” Williams concluded.

     

    As the Commissioner’s Cup progresses, Converge will be hoping that these incremental improvements translate into wins. Their next challenge will be a daunting one, as they prepare to face league powerhouse Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday, March 29, at the iconic Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    With momentum slowly building and Williams finding his rhythm, the FiberXers will be eager to prove that their early struggles are merely growing pains rather than a sign of deeper issues.

     

     

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  • Juan Gomez de Liano takes cautious road to recovery as injury stalls strong start

    Juan Gomez de Liano takes cautious road to recovery as injury stalls strong start

    For Juan Gomez de Liano, the challenge right now isn’t about putting up numbers—it’s about knowing when to stop.

     

    After a promising start with the Converge FiberXers, the guard remains sidelined for the second straight game due to a bone contusion in his right knee—an injury that has proven more persistent than expected. 

     

    In his absence, Converge absorbed a narrow 103-99 defeat to the San Miguel Beermen, sliding to a 1-3 record in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    Gomez de Liano traced the injury back to their March 14 outing against the Terrafirma Dyip, where Converge fell 111-100 in overtime. 

     

    Despite taking a knee-to-knee hit during that game, he pushed through and finished the contest before feeling the full effects afterward.

     

    “Knee to knee siya. Malakas ang impact. Adrenaline lahat kaya I played the rest of the game (against Terrafirma). After the game, I was so sore,” said Gomez de Liano.

     

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    Initially expecting a quick return, the 24-year-old admitted recovery has taken longer than anticipated, forcing him to take a more careful approach.

     

    “Bone contusion against Terrafirma. It’s going to take awhile to heal. I thought I will be back in a week. But there is still pain in certain movements so I’m not rushing it,” he said.

     

    While medical timelines suggest bone contusions can heal in at least two weeks depending on severity, Gomez de Liano emphasized that his case is not serious—but still requires patience.

    “It’s not a major (injury) but it will take awhile to heal,” said Gomez de Liano.

     

    With no clear timetable for his return, his availability for upcoming games—including a potential matchup against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel—remains uncertain. 

     

    That matchup carries added weight, given his standout performance against Ginebra in the previous conference where he averaged 27.5 points in their quarterfinal series.

     

    For now, Gomez de Liano is choosing caution over urgency, prioritizing full recovery as Converge navigates a challenging stretch without one of its key playmakers.

     

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  • Juan Gomez de Liano eyes quick return amid Converge’s slow start

    Juan Gomez de Liano eyes quick return amid Converge’s slow start

    For the Converge FiberXers, the process has come with unexpected complications.


    Instead of simply refining rotations and building chemistry, Converge is being forced to adapt without key pieces, most notably Juan Gomez de Liano, who remains sidelined with a knee injury.

     

    The absence has added another layer of difficulty for a team still trying to establish rhythm in the Philippine Basketball Association Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

     

    The injury, sustained during their previous outing against the Terrafirma Dyip and has left Gomez de Liano in a holding pattern. After undergoing an MRI, the 26-year-old guard is hoping for positive news—and a quick return.

     

    “I hurt my knee last game, natamaan, knee to knee. That’s pretty much the same. Kinda a bit swollen, so hopefully it heals by itself, and hopefully mabilis,” the lefty guard said.

     

    But beyond the physical setback, it’s the inability to contribute that weighs heavier. As Converge slipped to a 1-2 record, Gomez de Liano could only watch from the sidelines, an unfamiliar position for one of the team’s primary creators.

     

    “I really wanted to be out there with the guys and just kinda help them, pero injuries are out of my control,” he said.

     

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    His absence is particularly felt in matchups that demand backcourt firepower, especially against players like CJ Cansino, a familiar rival dating back to their UAAP days.

     

    Still, inside the Converge camp, there is a sense of patience rather than panic. With the conference still young—and with reinforcements on the way in Calvin Abueva—the team is choosing to view early losses as part of a longer process.

     

    “It’s just a matter of time to build trust with one another and gain chemistry. I’m glad these two losses happened early in the conference,” he said. “We just have to continue to build up and work together … we just have to be patient,” the 26-year-old added.

     

    For Gomez de Liano, the focus now shifts entirely to recovery. A demanding offseason that included duties with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers may have contributed to the wear and tear, making rest just as critical as rehab.

     

    “I’m gonna just attack rehab, just allow it to heal, I’ll just catch up on some rest. Kasi tuluy-tuloy rin ‘yung mga ganap sa akin like with the training, Gilas, and I feel like overfatigued lang. Hopefully, makabalik na ako,” he added.

     

    Time, however, is a luxury Converge can’t fully afford. A looming matchup against the San Miguel Beermen on March 25 presents another early measuring stick, one the FiberXers hope to face at full strength.

     

    Whether Gomez de Liano suits up or not, his presence on or off the floor remains central to a team still trying to find its footing.

     

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  • Meralco marks milestone win as Terrafirma builds early momentum in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    Meralco marks milestone win as Terrafirma builds early momentum in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

    The spotlight at the Ynares Center on Wednesday became a night of statements and emerging storylines in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.


    For the Meralco Bolts, the evening doubled as both a strong season debut and a historic moment. Behind a commanding 109-88 victory over the Converge FiberXers, the Bolts not only showcased their depth but also reached a significant franchise milestone.

     

    Import Marvin Jones wasted no time making his presence felt, erupting for 29 points in an impressive first outing. His performance set the tone, but it was far from a one-man show. CJ Cansino delivered near-flawless shooting, finishing 8-of-9 from the field, including a perfect clip from four-point range—to tally 23 points and eight assists. 

     

    Meanwhile, veteran Chris Newsome added 19 points, anchoring the decisive fourth-quarter push that shut the door on Converge.

     

    The win carried added weight. Based on league statistician Fidel Mangonon III, it marked Meralco’s 300th victory as a franchise, placing the MVP Group-backed squad among the league’s most accomplished active teams.

     

    On the other side, Converge continues to search for rhythm early in the conference. The absence of Juan Gomez de Liano due to a knee injury loomed large, especially for a team still awaiting the debut of Calvin Abueva.

     

    Alec Stockton led the FiberXers with 18 points, while Justin Arana posted a double-double effort of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Import Kylor Kelley and Justine Baltazar also delivered inside presence, but the team fell to 1-2, still searching for cohesion.

     

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    If Meralco celebrated history, Terrafirma Dyip continued crafting a promising present.

     

    Riding the momentum of a breakout performance in their previous game, Mubashar Ali once again anchored Terrafirma’s charge, finishing with a dominant 22-point, 23-rebound outing to power a 99-88 win over the Blackwater Bossing. His consistent production is quickly turning into one of the early tournament’s most compelling narratives.

     

    Support came in waves. Paolo Hernandez contributed 20 points in a Player of the Game performance, while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 18, highlighted by two four-point shots that helped keep Blackwater at bay.

     

    Blackwater, meanwhile, leaned heavily on Sedrick Barefield, who poured in 25 points. However, the limited mobility of import Daniel Ochefu, playing through a hyperextended knee restricted their interior presence, contributing to their second straight loss.

     

    Looking ahead, the Meralco Bolts will have over a week to regroup before facing the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on March 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Converge FiberXers, meanwhile, face a tough test against the San Miguel Beermen on March 25, returning to the same Antipolo venue.

     

    The Blackwater Bossing aim to bounce back on Sunday against the Magnolia Hotshots, with the possible debut of import Robert Upshaw depending on Ochefu’s condition. Meanwhile, Terrafirma Dyip will try to sustain their surge when they take on the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, coached by Charles Tiu, on March 25 in Antipolo.

     

     

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  • Mikey Williams focuses on Converge, not TNT reunion

    Mikey Williams focuses on Converge, not TNT reunion

    Mikey Williams marked his long-awaited return to the PBA by suiting up for the Converge FiberXers, helping his new team rally past the Macau Black Knights, 102-94, in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup opener at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

     

    Despite limited minutes in his first game in nearly three years, Williams made his presence felt. Entering in the fourth quarter, he contributed three key assists as Converge closed the game with a decisive 14-0 run to seal the victory.

     

    The former Finals MVP, who won multiple championships with TNT Tropang 5G, is aware that fans are already buzzing about a potential showdown against his old team. Yet, Williams remains grounded and focused on the immediate challenge.

     

    “I’m not really focused on that right now,” he said when asked about facing TNT. “We have a game in front of us on Saturday, so we’re just taking everything one game at a time.”

     

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    Instead of looking ahead to potential storybook reunions, Williams’ priority is finding his rhythm with Converge, a team he joined just days before the season opener. He praised the existing core, which includes guards Alec Stockton and Juan Gomez de Liaño, big men Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, and import Kylor Kelley.

     

    “They already have a great foundation from the guards to the bigs,” he said. “I’m just trying to assert myself where I see fit.”

     

    For Williams, the return to the PBA was more than just another game—it was a personal milestone. “Time after time, not being able to do what I love to do—that’s the hardest thing to deal with,” he reflected. “So I was just happy to touch the floor again.”

     

    As the FiberXers prepare for their next outing, Williams’ measured approach signals a veteran mindset: one game at a time, building chemistry, and letting future matchups unfold naturally.

     

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  • Hamstring injury delays Calvin Abueva’s Converge debut, FiberXers await scoring boost

    Hamstring injury delays Calvin Abueva’s Converge debut, FiberXers await scoring boost

    Fans eager to see Calvin Abueva suit up for the Converge FiberXers will have to wait a little longer.

     

    Head coach Delta Pineda revealed that the fiery forward is still nursing a hamstring injury, forcing the team to keep him sidelined for at least a few more games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.

     

    “Maybe two or three more games. Rest na muna,” Pineda said, explaining the team’s cautious approach as Abueva continues his recovery.

     

    Abueva missed Converge’s conference opener against the Macau Black Knights, a game the FiberXers still managed to take, 102-94, to begin their campaign on a winning note.

     

    Despite the absence of one of their most explosive weapons, Converge knows the kind of offensive punch waiting once Abueva finally takes the floor.

     

    Last season, the veteran forward emerged as the league’s top scorer during his stint with the Titan Ultra, averaging an impressive 23 points per game. His scoring spree included a massive 41-point outing, the highest single-game total of his career, highlighting the kind of firepower he can bring when fully healthy.

     

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    That offensive ability is exactly what the FiberXers hope will elevate their game once Abueva returns. Known for his relentless energy and fearless attacking style, the 38-year-old could provide the scoring boost needed to push Converge to another level as the conference progresses.

     

    Pineda, however, chose to keep the mood light when discussing his veteran forward’s recovery, joking that time may finally be catching up with the longtime fan favorite.

     

    “Wala na may edad na. Akala niyo lang malakas pa, pero nangangatog na yung tuhod,” Pineda said with a chuckle.

     

    “Buti nga hindi uric acid.”

     

    The same hamstring issue also limited Abueva’s minutes during the recent PBA All-Star Game, where he only logged a brief appearance while representing the North Team.

     

    For now, Converge continues its early push in the conference while waiting for the moment Abueva can finally make his much-anticipated debut in a FiberXers uniform — a return the team hopes will ignite its offense and strengthen its bid in the tournament.

     

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