The New World Order

Photo: PampangaNewsNow

The Converge FiberXers have officially put the PBA on notice.

It took a few seasons to get to where they are now — from the time they took over the Alaska Aces/Milkmen franchise and seemingly struggled despite having a formidable collegiate champion coach in Aldin Ayo at the helm. Back then, they looked like an expansion team trying to stay afloat, forced to let go of established holdovers and “settling” for either losing those players for less (Jeron Teng) or, worse, for nothing at all (Maverick Ahanmisi).

Little did we know — or perhaps, as fate would have it — they simply needed time and flexibility to make the right moves. Enter names like Jacob Lao (who quietly exited but is now back), Charles Tiu, Rajko Toroman, and of course, the big boss — the El Patrón of Pampanga basketball — Pampanga Vice Governor Delta Pineda, who went from being a consultant/assistant to now a full-time head coach.

Ayo's Way

Photo: Rappler.com

In only his first season as a PBA head coach, Converge FiberXers' Aldin Ayo has made it clear that it's his show by making an example of both his Commissioner's Cup and Governor's Cup imports-- tournament standings/ seedings be damned.

If memory serves us right, the 6"10 Quincy Miller who was averaging nearly 31 points a game while leading the team to an 8-2 start was benched in a match against NorthPort due to disciplinary measures. This led to the team bowing out of the conference, as they couldn't recover or regroup from that loss.

Recently, in the ongoing season-ending Governor's Cup, it's the high-scoring Jamaal Franklin's turn to be sent home. This, following a series of 30-40+ point games which really brought more fans to the games. After a 50+ point output, it was said that Ayo told his import to share the basketball some more. Which, well, the import followed to the letter in a crucial match against Barangay Ginebra. Things got so bad, that Franklin simply refused to shoot and just kept passing the ball even when he was wide open for easy bunnies.