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Converge FiberXers head coach Franco Atienza always knew the cold spell wouldn’t last forever. And when the dam finally broke, it came pouring down hard on the Blackwater Bossing.
After struggling mightily from long range in their first three games — connecting on just 25% from deep and going 18-of-72 overall — the FiberXers exploded for a scorching 11-of-22 from beyond the arc to dominate Blackwater, 111-80, on April 13 in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Coach Atienza’s unwavering belief in his team’s shooting paid off big time.
“I’ve always believed in the law of averages,” Atienza said post-game, as he stood beside standout guard Schonny Winston. “I reminded the guys that they’ve been putting in the work, before and after practice. I told them, ‘You’re due. Just keep shooting — your time will come.’ And tonight, it finally did.”
The FiberXers didn’t just win — they made a statement.
Rookie sensation Justine Baltazar and Winston led the charge with 16 points apiece, each knocking down two triples. Rey Suerte added a little extra sting by drilling three treys against his former team. Meanwhile, Brian Santos, JL Delos Santos, and MJ Garcia each added one from downtown to fuel the rout.
Even without their injured sharpshooter Jordan Heading, who is out with a back issue, the FiberXers found their rhythm from deep — and that may be the most promising sign moving forward.
“With Jordan out, there’s a clear void in our shooting,” Atienza admitted. “But we believe the three-point shot should still be a weapon for us. We’ve even installed a four-point arc in practice just to stretch our range and confidence. Tonight showed what we’re capable of.”
Beyond their red-hot shooting, Converge dominated the glass with a 51-41 rebounding advantage and moved the ball well, recording 21 assists compared to Blackwater’s 14. It was a complete team effort — something Winston said gives them a much-needed boost heading into the mid-season break.
“Coach emphasized that we needed to go into the break with a win,” Winston shared. “It lifts our morale, gives us momentum, and brings some good energy back into the locker room. We’re definitely going to ride this wave.”
Converge will return to action on April 27 with a high-stakes showdown against the TNT Tropang Giga, who are gunning for a historic grand slam, at the Ynares Center.
For now, the FiberXers can enjoy the sweet taste of a breakout performance — and the knowledge that when they shoot with confidence, they’re a team to be reckoned with.