Converge FiberXers. –PBA IMAGES
Converge management seems to be content, at least for the moment, in keeping its pieces together despite coach Aldin Ayo’s hint that more moves could be on the way.
“We have no [more] trade intentions at this time,” governor and team manager Chito Salud told the Inquirer on Friday when asked of Ayo’s social media post following the acquisition of sophomore guard Aljun Melecio.
Ayo’s former guard at La Salle along with big man Kris Porter were taken from Phoenix in exchange for rookie Kurt Lojera and second-year center Ben Adamos, a move that was later approved by the PBA’s trade committee.
The FiberXers’ new coach, hired a few weeks ago as Jeffrey Cariaso’s replacement, later posted on Facebook seemingly expressing his desire to acquire more players he likes.
“Everytime you go to war, you need your best soldiers,” said Ayo in the post which came out late Thursday evening on the popular social media app. “More to come …”
But in his perspective, Salud would rather see the team focus on further developing its squad under Ayo’s tutelage and build on its quarterfinal finish during its initial conference in the big league.
Rookie big Justin Arana and second-year guard RK Ilagan were among those who made solid impressions in the Philippine Cup, while part of the young core are rookies Jeo Ambohot and Tyrus Hill and sophomores Allyn Bulanadi and David Murrell.
“Bench upgrade and player development are ongoing, non-stop tasks. Our quest is to continue to seek opportunities to do both,” said Salud.
“We wish to see our new coach and our young players grow, develop and mature in time and find our team’s identity together,” the former PBA commissioner turned Converge team official concluded.
Melecio is the fourth Ayo disciple to join Converge, joining his former La Salle teammates Jeron Teng and Abu Tratter who were part of the 2016 UAAP championship roster.
Veteran Kevin Racal also played for Ayo during Letran’s run to the 2015 NCAA crown, a Cinderella story that launched the once-unheralded mentor into the spotlight.