ANGELES CITY – Even before its formal unveiling next week, Converge ICT Solutions in the PBA has started to bolster its team, starting with the tapping of one of the country’s solid basketball aficionados and patrons.
In a text message, Converge founder and CEO Dennis Uy said that Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda will be serving as a consultant for the team that will have holdover players from the acquisition of Alaska Aces.
Uy, a Kapampangan from this city, said that Pineda’s role will be more on “player development.” He said that restaurant and nickel magnate Frank Lao would also serve as one of the team’s consultants.
For his part, Pineda has welcomed the entry of Converge in the PBA.
“Masaya tayo (sa pagsali ng Converge sa PBA) kasi ang owner nito ay Kapampangan. Our Kapampangan basketball players have more chances to play in the higher league,” he said.
Pineda is known to be behind the discovery and rise to basketball fame of Kapampangan PBA superstars Arwind Santos, Calvin Abueva and Ian Sanggalang. Also reported to be under his wing is current La Salle center and standout Justine Baltazar. Some news reports have it that Pineda is also credited for the inclusion of the 6’9” Mabalacat, Pampanga resident in his recent stint in Gilas Pilipinas.
Despite his busy schedule, Pineda also led Pampanga Delta as head coach to a championship against La Union PAOwer in the Season 3 of the National Basketball League.
Converge is set to hold a press launch next week to announce the nickname and composition of the team. It has bought the Alaska Aces at P117 million in total fees after the Uytengsu franchise bowed out of PBA after 35 seasons. The PBA has announced that Converge will see action in the next season of the leading professional basketball league in Southeast Asia.
