Will Converge change imports to save campaign? Coach Delta Pineda answers

As its campaign continues to falter, Converge is considering a potential import switch after some lackluster production from current reinforcement Kylor Kelley on Sunday night against Magnolia.

Converge head coach Delta Pineda revealed their plans after FiberXers absorbed yet another loss, this time a 106-94 defeat against Magnolia that dropped them into a dangerous 2-6 position in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.

The 28-year-old Kelley was largely a non-factor in the loss, finishing with just seven points—his lowest output—and six rebounds in 26 minutes. The 7-foot import was also pulled back to the bench with 5:35 remaining, even as Converge mounted a late comeback attempt.

Kelley’s performance has prompted the Converge coaching staff to consider a possible import change, but Pineda stressed that time constraints may force them to stick with him and instead make the most of their local core.

"We’re planning (to replace Kelley) pero ‘yung sunod-sunod na araw kasi, we don’t know kung aabot pa but for now, adjustment namin in the next game, either we have an import or not, we’ll make sure na ima-maximize ko ‘yung mga locals ko," Pineda told reporters.

"So if he will not perform during next game, labas. Sugalan na namin ‘yung locals."

(We're planning for it but in the coming days, we don't know if a replacement will make it in time. But for now, our adjustment in the next game, either we have an import or not, we'll make sure to maximize our locals... So if he will not perform during next game, he'll come out. We'll risk it with just the locals.)

Pineda said he still has confidence in his locals as they look to salvage a once-promising campaign.

That was the case during their late rally against the Hotshots, where Juan Gomez de Liaño, Justine Baltazar, Alec Stockton, and Archie Concepcion led the rampage that erased a 20-point deficit and turned it into a slim seven-point disadvantage with 1:54 left.

But the FiberXers just ran out of steam and some luck to complete the come-from-behind to drop their sixth loss in eight outings.

Still, it gives Pineda some glimmer of hope that his locals could provide the answer in their remaining preliminary round games.

"I don’t know. Gustuhin man namin, hindi kami napupunta doon. Siguro ang daming problems na sino-solve. First, ‘yung chemistry ng mga bata which is dumadating na," Pineda added.

"But the problem, ‘yung delivery ng import naman namin ang nagiging problema ngayon. We did not expect na as low as this ‘yung ide-deliver niya."

(I don't know. Even if we wanted, we didn't get there. I guess there are a problems that we had to solve. First, the chemistry of the players, which is developing. But the problem, the delivery of the import. We did not expect he would deliver numbers this low.)

Converge, once regarded as a strong contender to go the distance this conference given its promising roster, will look to get its act together and it will have to do so quickly as it takes on defending champion TNT on Wednesday.

"We need to adjust with what we have. Doon muna ang focus. One game at a time," Pineda said. 

(We need to adjust with what we have. That's where the focus is. One game at a time.)

—JMB, GMA News