Archie Concepcion plays for something deeper than just points on the board. Every game, every shot, every hustle on the hardwood carries the memory of his late father—his biggest motivation and inspiration.
“Sayang lang, hindi niya nadatnan ‘tong paglalaro ko sa PBA. Siguro kung nakita niya ako maglaro ng basketball, magiging proud siya,” said the Converge swingman, recalling his father who passed away in 2012.
Concepcion’s emotions came full circle last Saturday when he helped the FiberXers notch a 99-94 win over the Blackwater Bossing. The 27-year-old guard hit two key triples in the third quarter that widened Converge’s lead and swung the momentum their way. The game held extra meaning—Blackwater was the team that first drafted him two years ago before his journey took him to the MPBL with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
Fresh from another strong run for his home province, Concepcion recently returned to the PBA under Converge, where he’s quickly finding his rhythm again. And during All Saints’ Day, he made sure his father was part of this new chapter—placing his FiberXers jerseys on his father’s tomb as a quiet gesture of gratitude and love.
Before becoming a rising PBA player, Concepcion’s athletic roots began on the track as a high school sprinter in Pampanga. His transition to basketball was shaped by local grassroots programs led by current Converge coach Delta Pineda, eventually paving his way to Arellano University in the NCAA.
Now, with every basket and every win, Archie Concepcion continues to honor his father’s memory—proving that his drive, discipline, and heart on the court all come from the man who first taught him to chase his dreams.