HOW to make the most out of its inherent strength while being ready to make the needed adjustments on the fly would be Converge's main concerns when it goes up against Terrafirma Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
A win by the FiberXers in the 5 p.m. match would give them a 6-4 record, which should be enough to give them at least a playoff spot for the last seat in the eight-team quarterfinals following the 11-game eliminations.
For their part, the Dyip are practically out of the race for quarterfinals seats due to a seven-game slide that gave them a 1-7 card.
Still, Converge coach Franco Atienza is not one to be lulled into complacency.
"We are preparing for the best Terrafirma could offer. We know naman na medyo mababa sila sa standings, but still they have the materials... so hindi kami magpapakompiyansa," he said.
Sponsored content:
"Alam namin na hindi magiging madaling game iyon kaya ganoon na lang preparation namin, talagang locked in kami, naka-concentrate kami, naka-focus kami," added Atienza.
Making Atienza more worried is the knowledge that the rest of the field, particularly Barangay Ginebra and NLEX, have seemingly found a way to offset Converge's fearsome frontline duo of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.
Both the Gin Kings and the Road Warriors won over the FiberXers, mainly through a combination of rebounding by committee and a fast-paced attack that lessened the usual effectiveness of both Baltazar and Arana.
"Napaghahandaan na dalawang Justin kaya kailangan gawan namin ng paraan iyon. Parang it's a case of our strength na nagiging Achilles heel na rin," noted Atienza.
"Kaya we need to find a way on how we can get some sort of advantage other than mostly relying on them kasi may plano na ibang teams. Nakita natin against Ginebra, against NLEX, kaya kailangang gumawa kami ng paraan paano kami makakakuha ng ibang advantage."
Sponsored content:
That is, if Terrafirma;s own frontliners, led by Louie Sangalang, Keith Zaldivar, Kevin Ferrer and Aldrech Ramos can hold their own against Arana and Baltazar, who usually combine for more than 30 points and 24 rebounds an outing.
Following the match, Converge actually has enough time on its hands before winding up the eliminations against San Miguel Beer on June 11. But Atienza is keeping his sights trained on the task at hand.
"Hindi muna namin iniisip iyon. Pagkatapos ng Terrafirma saka namin iisipin San Miguel," said Atienza.
"We cannot think past Terrafirma kasi capable pa rin iyan and anytime kaya nilang tumalo ng kahit anong team." (NC)
