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Tag: Delta Pineda

  • “It wasn’t a problem for him”: Delta Pineda praises Converge’s new import Donovan Smith in an important win

    “It wasn’t a problem for him”: Delta Pineda praises Converge’s new import Donovan Smith in an important win

    The Converge FiberXers rediscovered their winning form in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, delivering a dominant 130–103 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday, April 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

     

    Leading the charge was returning import Donovan Smith, who made an immediate impact in his first game back in the league after more than a year away. Smith imposed his presence early and often, finishing with 32 points and 12 rebounds in just around 23 minutes of action. His efficiency and energy on both ends of the floor set the tone for Converge, which controlled the game from the second quarter onward and never looked back.

     

    “I’m glad to be back. I could have played a bit better but it was a good game, we got the win. I was a little bit sad that I couldn’t play against their import but it is what it is. It’s just my first game with these guys but we will do some more work together and get more Ws,” Smith said in the postmatch press conference.

     

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    Smith’s debut performance was particularly noteworthy as it came against his former squad, adding an extra layer of motivation to his strong showing. His familiarity with the league and ability to quickly integrate into Converge’s system proved invaluable, especially for a team looking to regain momentum midway through the conference.

    The veteran reinforcement was brought in to replace Kylor Kelley, whose underwhelming stint prompted a swift change by the coaching staff. Head coach Delta Pineda had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Kelley’s performances, attributing much of the team’s earlier struggles to inconsistent production from the import position.

     

    Pineda, however, had little doubt about Smith’s ability to deliver right away.

     

    “He already has his experience with our league so it wasn’t a problem for him to play with us here in Converge,” Pineda added.

     

    Beyond Smith’s individual brilliance, the FiberXers also showcased improved ball movement and defensive intensity, with several local players stepping up to complement their new import. The team’s offensive rhythm was evident in their 130-point explosion, one of their highest-scoring outputs of the conference so far.

     

    With the convincing win, Converge improved to a 4–6 record, climbing to ninth place in the standings and keeping their playoff hopes alive. The victory could serve as a turning point as they aim to build consistency in the latter stages of the eliminations.

     

    The FiberXers will look to sustain their momentum when they take on the NLEX Road Warriors on May 2 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, a crucial matchup that could further boost their chances of breaking into the top eight.

     

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  • Delta Pineda pins Converge’s PBA struggles on import Kylor Kelley 

    Delta Pineda pins Converge’s PBA struggles on import Kylor Kelley 

    The Converge FiberXers continue to search for answers in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, as their struggles deepened following another disappointing outing on Sunday, April 20, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. With a 94-106 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots, Converge slipped further down the standings, now holding a 2-6 record and languishing in 11th place.

     

    It was a game that once again exposed the team’s ongoing issues, particularly on the import front. Much of the spotlight fell on Kylor Kelley, whose underwhelming performance raised further questions about his role moving forward. In 26 minutes of action, Kelley finished with just seven points, six rebounds, and a steal, posting a -4 plus-minus despite a flawless 3-of-3 shooting clip from the field. While efficient in limited attempts, his lack of overall impact was evident, especially when matched up against Magnolia’s dominant import, Clint Chapman.

     

    Chapman delivered a commanding performance, leading all scorers with 22 points while anchoring the paint with 14 rebounds. He also contributed three assists and two blocks, proving to be a two-way force that Converge simply could not contain. His presence underscored the stark contrast between the two imports and played a pivotal role in Magnolia’s convincing victory.

     

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    Following the game, Converge head coach Delta Pineda did not mince words when addressing Kelley’s performance, pointing to it as a key factor in the team’s defeat.

     

    “Ito yung pinakamababang production niya,” Pineda said after the game.

    While Kelley has posted respectable averages of 13.2 points, 16.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game throughout the conference, his inconsistency has become a growing concern for the coaching staff. Pineda acknowledged that the team is already weighing its options, including the possibility of bringing in a replacement import as they attempt to salvage their campaign.

     

    “We are planning, pero sunud-sunod yung araw kasi. I don’t know kung aabot pa. 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,” he added.

     

    The compressed schedule presents an additional challenge, leaving little room for major roster changes. Still, the urgency is clear, as Converge risks falling further behind in the standings with each loss. Pineda emphasized that regardless of the import situation, the team must find ways to elevate the contributions of its local core moving forward.

     

    Despite the mounting pressure, Kelley is expected to get at least one more opportunity to prove his worth. Converge is set to face TNT Tropang Giga on Wednesday, April 22, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium—a crucial matchup that could determine the team’s next course of action.

     

    “If he will not perform in the next game, labas. Susugalan na namin yung locals namin,” he concluded.

     

    With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the FiberXers find themselves at a crossroads. Whether through a change in personnel or a renewed collective effort, Converge must respond quickly—or risk seeing their Commissioner’s Cup campaign slip further out of reach.

     

     

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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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