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HK Eastern Long Lions in the PBA. True?
After going that far last night I think Converge are dropping their plans to tank again this season. And Im expecting them to get the most capable import/big available for the commissioner's cup which starts on November 27 I think. And yes they do need to address their shallow roster because outside of Arana, Stockton and Arana the only decent players they have are Bryan Santos, King Calaripio and a 41 year old Alex Cabagnot. Jacob Lao's drinking buddies (Fornillos, Andrade, Maagdenberg, Nieto, Credo and Flores) are MPBL level players and keeping them around is not gonna help them at all. And if anything wasting a first round pick in taking Andrade is a major bone head move.
They don't need to tank now, their roster is very young.. they have their core with Arana, Stockton, Balti and Winston.. Add players that can do their role to support the core and that's fine already...
Converge can actually be transformed into a defensive like Magnolia or Meralco. I think the team has the materials for it. Stockton & Wilson are defensive oriented guards. I just don't know if Arana is a decent defending big man. I also dont know if how good a defender Bryan Santos is. I think yung weakness ng Convege is yung sa 3 position. Hope they can get a Mark Belmonte type of a small forward.
I get that its probably a budget issue but perhaps can they just replace the second import with FSAs surely FSAs cant be that expensive.
Have Stockton and Schonny anchor the defense as the point of attack defenders. Hahahahahaha.
But yeah, the 3 is a weak point of Converge. Their options at the 3 are Schonny, 6'2" King Caralipio, and 6'2" Mike Nieto. Maybe some Bryan Santos.
Agree. Caralipio, plays taller than his height but is only 6’2. Bryan Santos seems too slow for me to play SF. Note though that with Balti they will have a decent rim protector who is good at switching or hedging. Next year with Balti, a another pick and a decent coach, say Charles Tiu, it is possible they take another step. Stockton and Winston are the head of the snake though. Stockton, minus some turnovers, is already in the top tier of PGs IMO. Winston on the other hand is almost impossible to stop one on one. He is too strong for a smaller guy and too fast and too skilled for a taller guy.
I get that its probably a budget issue but perhaps can they just replace the second import with FSAs surely FSAs cant be that expensive.
I get that its probably a budget issue but perhaps can they just replace the second import with FSAs surely FSAs cant be that expensive.
The youngest player in that core is 25yo Justin Arana. That's young, but not very young.
Converge didn't really get a wing that's at least 193cm (6'4"), and have none in the rotation. Hope they can get a good 196cm (6'5") wing in the coming drafts or even through trades.
That's a big reason why I'm iffy on having Ayo as a coach for any Gilas team. Undersized wings, when size and length also matters in that position, except in the case of Abueva.
SMB will have problems with Ginebra's guard depth in this series.