NOT even a schedule that should be punishing enough for most teams and an equally determined foe are not enough to dampen Converge's spirit going to its collision with Phoenix Super LPG at 5 p.m. Thursday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Both teams are coming off wins with the FiberXers now sitting on a 3-2 record and the Fuel Masters at 1-4.
Following Phoenix's breakthrough 115-109 conquest of erstwhile unbeaten leader NorthPort last Tuesday, coach Jamike Jarin said his team will continue to exert every effort to continue its climb.
"We're 1 and 4 right now and we'd continue to work hard to get the next win," stated Jarin.
"One step at a time, so the most important game for us right now is the one on Thursday against Converge. Tough team, young team, they just won kanina so it's gonna be tough on Thursday," added Jarin.
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"So we need to rest our bodies and get into game-time (mode) as soon as we leave the venue (tonight)."
Indeed, Converge shot past NLEX, 102-91, earlier last Thursday that should serve acting head coach Franco Atienza's charges in good stead going to their upcoming schedule that includes meetings with Barangay Ginebra on Sunday and Meralco on Christmas Day.
Rather than be daunted by the task, Atienza sort of welcomes the imposing test. "Every team goes through this, and we savor the competition, we savor the challenges," he said following the NLEX game.
"Wala namang ibang paraan but to go through it. Maybe just deal with it chunk by chunk. So kanina we were dealing with it muna. Quick turnaround. Hindi muna kami masyadong mag-de-dwell dito, we have to prepare for Thursday, and after doon na lang naming iisipin 'yung Saturday and then go on to our Christmas Day game."
The FiberXers actually already went through virtually the same experience in the last Governors Cup quarterfinals against the San Miguel Beermen in a quarterfinals duel that had them playing five games over 11 days.
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"So maganda nang nadaanan mo na iyon at some point, masanay na rin iyung team, masanay in terms of prep na medyo pagod ka, tapos kulang iyung time for recovery. You have to do a quick turnaround right away. Makalimutan mo kaagad kung panalo, kung talo adjust kaagad," reasoned Atienza.
Atienza even believes there are other benefits his youth-laden players can gain from that exacting schedule. "It could go both ways, eh. Pagka araw-araw ka naglalaro baka mapagod ka, pero ang familiarity naman sa isa't-isa, iyung floor time, medyo umaangat din," he said.
Despite Alec Stockton, Jordan Heading and Justine Baltazar leading Converge's local cast and Jason Perkins, Tyler Tio, Ricci Rivero and Kenneth Tuffin headlining Phoenix's, an interesting sidelight is the matchup between imports Donovan Smith and Cheick Diallo.
Despite a nagging sprain, Smith churned out 32 points and 14 rebounds against NorthPort while Diallo tallied 37 and 18 against NLEX. (NC)
