By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Converge FiberXers are off to a rousing start in the 2023 PBA Governor’s Cup after crushing the NorthPort Batang Pier, 122-92, last January 22, 2023.
After a flat first quarter, the blazing offense of the FiberXers finally clicked in the next 12 minutes of action that saw a one-point lead balloon to 20 points heading into the second half.
Veteran point guard Maverick Ahanmisi led the charge for Converge after putting up an impressive stat line of 29 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in 30 minutes of action.
Ahanmisi’s 11-point explosion in the second quarter sparked Converge’s 40-21 scoring rally and marked the beginning of their efficient shooting from the field.
The Batang Pier was still playing disciplined basketball in the first 15 minutes of the ball game until Ahanmisi found his stroke and sucked the life out of NorthPort.
To make things worse, Converge finally contained NorthPort’s surging import Marcus Weathers who was bullying his way for easy deuces in the first quarter.
Despite the tight defense Converge deployed on Weathers, the athletic import still finished the game with 37 points and 12 rebounds.
NorthPort attempted to inch close in the third quarter after the duo of Roi Sumang and Joshua Munzon scored buckets but Converge always had answers courtesy of their import Ethan Rusbatch.
Rusbatch, who is a familiar face to the Filipino fans as a member of the New Zealand men’s basketball national team that played against Gilas Pilipinas, impressed in his debut after chipping in 17 points, nine rebounds, and three dimes.
“Yan talaga ang laro namin. We’re going to set the pace. Everybody knows it already. We’re going to set the pace, and of course, we’re going to hit those first available threes, kung meron,” said Converge’s head coach Aldin Ayo.
The FiberXers also got a huge lift from Jerrick Balanza, Ayo’s former ward when he led the Letran Knights to an NCAA championship title.
The newest member of Converge immediately made his impact on the team after kicking off their three-point party in the first quarter to end the game with 13 big points.
Converge will gun for their second-straight win when they square off against the struggling Terrafirma Dyip on January 26, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Batang Pier will be looking to enter the winning column when they face head coach Norman Black and the Meralco Bolts after the Converge-Dyip game.
