ANGELES CITY – Converge FiberXers will rebuild its team in time for the next season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Head coach Aldin Ayo said that the team owned by Pampanga billionaire and tech mogul Dennis Anthony Uy is in the process of rebuilding its team.
“We are rebuilding the team for the next season,” Ayo told this writer during the birthday celebration of Uy at Best Western Plus Metro Clark.
He said that the team, which will have a first crack in the next PBA Draft, is hoping to land potential players.
Asked on whether 6’8″ former De La Salle University slotman Justin Baltazar, a potential No. 1 pick, would apply for the draft, he said that will depend on Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
Pineda is head coach of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns (PGL) in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) where Baltazar is lording it over. In the 2023 season, the former Gilas member led the PGL to championship, capturing also the MVP plum for the whole tournament as well as the Finals series.
Pineda is a known developer of basketball players whose wards include Calvin Abueva, and Ian Sanggalang of the Magnolia Hotshots. He is also a consultant of the FiberXers.
The Fiberxers had a tough luck in the current 48th season of the PBA, finishing last in the pool of 12 teams. It however had two quarterfinals appearances since its acquisition from Alaska franchise in 2022.
Players in its roster for the 48th Season include 2023 Rookie of the Year Justin Arana, veterans Kevin Racal, Aljun Melecio, Adrian Wong and Jerrick Balanza. New bloods include Mike Nieto, Jeo Ambohot, and Alec Stockton.
