Converge FiberXers explained

Current:2024–25 Converge FiberXers season
Converge FiberXers
Founded:2022
History:Converge FiberXers (2022–present)
Colors:Purple, teal, black, white
Owner:Dennis Anthony Uy
Company:Converge ICT
Board Governor:Archen Cayabyab
CK Kanapi-Daniolco (alternate)
Manager:Jacob Lao
Dennis Pineda (assistant)
Coach:Franco Atienza (interim)
Captain:Kevin Racal
Mike Nieto
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The Converge FiberXers are a professional basketball team owned by Converge ICT. The team competes in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The franchise began after acquiring the former Alaska Aces franchise on March 23, 2022.[1]

History

Formation

On February 16, 2022, Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) announced that the Alaska Aces would leave the PBA at the end of the 2021 Governors' Cup. This was due to a directive by FrieslandCampina, parent company of AMC.[2]

Several companies expressed interest to buy the Aces or its franchise.[3] The prospect company could retain the Alaska Aces team if they bought the franchise within the ongoing season.[4] In the event the franchise is not sold within the ongoing season, the PBA would place the players in a dispersal draft.[3]

On March 23, the PBA announced the sale of the Alaska Aces to Converge ICT. The sale was unanimously approved by the PBA Board of Governors.[1] Smart Communications, the owner of TNT Tropang Giga and a business competitor of Converge, was noted for not blocking Converge's entry into the PBA.[5] Former PBA commissioner Chito Salud serves as the board governor of the new team.[6] On April 2, the team announced that Jeffrey Cariaso, who was the last head coach of the former Aces team prior to the sale of the franchise, was retained as head coach.[7]

On April 5, Converge ICT formally unveiled their team under the name Converge FiberXers.[8] It was also announced that the assistant coaches of the former Alaska team were retained.[9] Erstwhile Alaska Aces board governor and team manager Richard Bachmann served as the assistant team manager of the FiberXers.[10]

2022–23 season

Philippine Cup

Before the Philippine Cup, their 2023 first-round pick was traded to NLEX for Tyrus Hill and David Murrell.[11] Converge also traded Kurt Lojera to Blackwater Bossing for bigman Yousef Taha.[12] In mid-conference, Converge traded Robbie Herndon for 2023 and 2024 San Miguel Beermen's second-round pick.[13] They also traded Ben Adamos, and Kurt Lojera to Phoenix Fuel Masters for Aljun Melecio, and Kris Porter.[14]

Under Cariaso, Converge's first conference was rough, placed 7th in the standings and faced TNT Tropang Giga in the quarterfinals, but the Tropang Giga have twice to beat advantage, and defeated Converge in one game.[15] [16] [17]

Commissioner's Cup

In August 2022, Cariaso was released as the head coach of the team and was replaced by Aldin Ayo.[18] [19] Converge traded Michael DiGregorio, Tyrus Hill, and RK Ilagan to Blackwater Bossing for Barkley Eboña and TNT's 2022 first-round pick.[20] They also traded Allyn Bulanadi for Jerrick Balanza to NorthPort Batang Pier.[21] The team paraded Quincy Miller as their import for the conference, but notable for being benched in some games due to his undisciplined behavior like being late in practice.[22]

In Ayo's first conference as coach, he led the team into quarterfinals, only swept by San Miguel Beermen in two games.[23] [24] [25]

Governors' Cup

Converge signed free-agent Bradwyn Guinto,[26] And Danny Ildefonso reactivated in the roster due to injuries to other players.[27]

Like their inaugural conference, Converge placed 7th and defeated by San Miguel Beermen in one game.[28]

2023–24 season

Before the season start, Converge drafted Schonny Winston, and BJ Andrade. Team also signed Keith Zaldivar,[29] Mac Tallo,[30] resigned Kevin Racal,[31] Jerrick Balanza,[32] Aljun Melecio,[33] Justin Arana,[34] and Alec Stockton.[35] But they released Maverick Ahanmisi to Ginebra,[36] Jeron Teng,[37] Barkley Eboña,[38] and Mac Tallo, who have been terminated because of playing "ligang labas".[39]

They also traded David Murrell and Abu Tratter, for Adrian Wong, and 2023 Magnolia's first-round pick.[40] The team also traded the 2024 and 2025 Converge second-round pick to Rain or Shine for Mike Nieto.[41]

In the middle of the Philippine Cup (season-ending conference in that season), Converge traded Jerrick Balanza for Magnolia Hotshots' 2024 second-round pick.[42]

The season was notable for two conference for the national team preparations, but both with dismal performance for Converge. The losses was rumored to be a tanking tactic by the team in order to get the first overall pick in the next year's draft, but Aldin Ayo dismisses the allegations.[43] [44]

2024–25 season

Philippine Cup

In 2024 draft, Converge selected Justin Baltazar, an ex-La Salle bigman who also played for Ayo.[45] But Baltazar will finish first the 2024 MPBL season with Pampanga as per his contract with the team.[46] [47]

But before the season start, Ayo resigned as head coach and McJour Luib as lead assistant coach. Longtime assistant Franco Atienza was appointed as interim coach.[48] In addition, Benilde Blazers head coach Charles Tiu joined the coaching staff.[49] [50]

Current roster

See main article: Converge FiberXers all-time roster.

Season-by-season records

See main article: List of Converge FiberXers seasons.

Records from the 2024–25 PBA season:

Team name Elimination round Playoffs
Finish W L PCT Stage Results
Converge FiberXers TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Total elimination round TBD TBD !TBD
Total playoffs TBD TBD TBD
Total 2024–25 TBD TBD !TBD
Total franchise 22 38 !0 Championships

Awards

All-Star Weekend

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PBA board approves sale of Alaska franchise to Converge ICT Solutions. PBA.ph. March 23, 2022. March 23, 2022.
  2. News: Catacutan . Dodo . Alaska to bid the PBA goodbye at the end of the conference . February 16, 2022 . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . February 16, 2022 . en.
  3. News: Five companies look to buy Alaska franchise says Willie Marcial . March 20, 2022 . Dugout Philippines . March 18, 2022.
  4. News: Terrado . Reuben . Cariaso hopes Alaska core kept as company in 'deep talks' to buy franchise . March 20, 2022 . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . March 19, 2022 . en.
  5. News: Dalupang . Denison Rey . Despite being Smart/PLDT’s industry rival, Converge gets unanimous vote as newest PBA franchise . March 26, 2022 . Philippine Daily Inquirer . March 24, 2022 . en.
  6. Web site: Former commissioner Chito Salud returns to PBA as governor of Converge . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . March 23, 2022 . en.
  7. News: Terrado . Reuben . Converge retains Jeff Cariaso as head coach . April 3, 2022 . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . April 2, 2022 . en.
  8. Web site: Converge co-owners Dennis and Grace Uy unveil FiberXers . April 5, 2022 . PBA.ph . April 5, 2022.
  9. Web site: Cariaso eyes one more deputy to intact Converge coaching staff . Sports Interactive Network Philippines . April 5, 2022 . en . April 5, 2022.
  10. Web site: Converge introduces new PBA team that go by the "Fiber Xers". Val Jose. Mendoza. Yugatech. April 5, 2022. April 7, 2022.
  11. News: Ramos . Gerry . NLEX sending Dave Murrell, Tyrus Hill to Converge for draft pick . June 6, 2022 . Spin.ph.
  12. News: Ramos . Gerry . Blackwater trades rookie Kurt Lojera to Converge for Yousef Taha . June 6, 2022 . Spin.ph.
  13. News: Ramos . Gerry . Robbie Herndon traded to SMB for two future second-round picks . June 6, 2022 . Spin.ph.
  14. News: Ramos . Gerry . PBA approves Converge-Phoenix trade as Melecio, Ayo reunite . September 9, 2022 . Spin.ph.
  15. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . Full-strength TNT makes short work of playoffs debutant Converge . 2024-07-24 . Spin.ph . en.
  16. Web site: Ventura . Sid . 2022-07-27 . What we learned as TNT brushed aside Converge to book Philippine Cup semi berth . 2024-07-24 . ESPN.com . en.
  17. Web site: Dioquino . Delfin . 2022-07-27 . TNT rides on Mikey Williams' hot hand to rip Converge, reach semis . 2024-07-24 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  18. Web site: August 9, 2022 . Cariaso accepts Converge exit, but wishes he had more time with team . February 19, 2023 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  19. Web site: Micaller . Bea . August 10, 2022 . It's official: Aldin Ayo takes over coaching reins for Converge . February 19, 2023 . GMA News Online . en.
  20. News: Ramos . Gerry . DiGregorio, Ilagan, Hill to Blackwater as Converge gets Ebona, draft pick . January 3, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  21. News: Ramos . Gerry . Balanza, Ayo reunite as Converge trades Bulanadi to NorthPort . January 4, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  22. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . Quincy Miller benched for being late for practice a day after birthday party . 2024-07-24 . Spin.ph . en.
  23. Web site: Terrado . Jonas . 2023-01-21 . PBA: Jorge Gallent named San Miguel head coach ahead of Governors' Cup . 2023-01-22 . INQUIRER.net . en.
  24. Web site: Dioquino . Delfin . 2022-12-07 . Heroes aplenty as San Miguel zeroes in on PBA semis after whipping Converge . 2024-07-24 . RAPPLER . en-US.
  25. Web site: Bacnis . Justine . 2022-12-10 . PBA: San Miguel too much for Converge, takes on Bay Area in semis . 2024-07-24 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  26. Web site: Li . Matthew . January 27, 2023 . Free agent Bradwyn Guinto signs with Converge . January 27, 2023 . Tiebreaker Times . en.
  27. Web site: March 2, 2023 . Danny I makes PBA comeback with Converge . March 2, 2023 . pba.ph . en.
  28. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . No. 2 seed San Miguel pulls plug on Converge playoff bid . 2024-07-24 . Spin.ph . en.
  29. News: Ramos . Gerry . Magnolia letting go of Keith Zaldivar leads to Converge signing . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  30. News: Anzures . Rom . PBA: Mac Tallo makes PBA return with Converge . November 8, 2023 . news.abs-cbn.com.
  31. News: Ramos . Gerry . Converge signs big man Kevin Racal to new two-year deal . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  32. News: Terrado . Reuben . Converge signs Jerrick Balanza to contract extension . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  33. News: Aljun Melecio renews contract with #ConvergeFiberXers . September 21, 2023 . Instagram.
  34. Web site: Badua . Snow . March 16, 2024 . Converge resists trade offers, signs Arana, Stockton to maximum contracts . March 17, 2024 . Spin.ph.
  35. Web site: Badua . Snow . March 16, 2024 . Converge resists trade offers, signs Arana, Stockton to maximum contracts . March 17, 2024 . Spin.ph.
  36. News: Ramos . Gerry . Ahanmisi gets three-year contract with new team Ginebra . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  37. News: Ramos . Gerry . September 20, 2023 . Converge not signing Jeron Teng to a contract extension . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  38. News: Ramos . Gerry . Free agent Barkley Ebona signed to one-year deal by TNT . February 19, 2024 . Spin.ph.
  39. News: February 7, 2024 . Converge terminates Mac Tallo contract for 'ligang labas' violation . February 7, 2024 . Spin.ph.
  40. News: Ramos . Gerry . Tratter, Murrell traded to Magnolia as Converge gets Wong, 1st-round pick . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  41. News: Ramos . Gerry . Converge acquires Mike Nieto in trade with Rain or Shine . September 21, 2023 . Spin.ph.
  42. News: Badua . Snow . Magnolia acquires Jerrick Balanza from Converge for second-round pick . April 12, 2024 . Spin.ph.
  43. Web site: 2023-12-13 . Aldin Ayo debunks tanking allegations: 'That's unfair' . 2024-07-24 . Tiebreaker Times . en-US.
  44. Web site: Is Converge tanking? Coach Ayo responds . 2024-07-24 . Spin.ph . en.
  45. Web site: Ramos . Gerry . 2024-07-03 . Consensus No. 1 pick Justine Baltazar applies for PBA draft again . 2024-07-04 . Spin.ph . en.
  46. Web site: Villanueva . Ralph Edwin . 2024-07-14 . Converge-bound Baltazar is No. 1 pick in PBA Draft . 2024-07-14 . Philstar.com.
  47. Web site: Baltazar likely to finish MPBL season before moving to PBA . 2024-07-14 . Spin.ph . en.
  48. Web site: Terrado . Reuben . Aldin Ayo out as Converge coach in stunning split . 2024-08-02 . Spin.ph . en.
  49. Web site: Ramos . Gerry . Charles Tiu joins rejigged Converge coaching staff . 2024-08-05 . Spin.ph . en.
  50. Web site: 2024-08-04 . ‘Work to be done’ as Toroman plans new system for Converge . 2024-08-05 . INQUIRER.net . en.

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