Converge FiberXers

The Converge FiberXers are a professional basketball team owned by Converge ICT. The team competes in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The franchise began after acquiring the former Alaska Aces franchise on March 23, 2022.[1]

Converge FiberXers
2023–24 Converge FiberXers season
Converge FiberXers logo
Founded2022
HistoryConverge FiberXers (2022–present)
Team colorsPurple, teal, black, white
       
CompanyConverge ICT
Board governorDennis Pineda
Team managerJacob Lao
Head coachAldin Ayo
OwnershipDennis Anthony Uy

History

On February 16, 2022, Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC) announced that the Alaska Aces would leave the PBA at the end of the 2021 Governors' Cup. This was due to a directive by FrieslandCampina, parent company of AMC.[2]

Several companies expressed interest to buy the Aces or its franchise.[3] The prospect company could retain the Alaska Aces team if they bought the franchise within the ongoing season.[4] In the event the franchise is not sold within the ongoing season, the PBA would place the players in a dispersal draft.[3]

On March 23, the PBA announced the sale of the Alaska Aces to Converge ICT. The sale was unanimously approved by the PBA Board of Governors.[1] Smart Communications, the owner of TNT Tropang Giga and a business competitor of Converge, was noted for not blocking Converge's entry into the PBA.[5] Former PBA commissioner Chito Salud serves as the board governor of the new team.[6] On April 2, the team announced that Jeffrey Cariaso, who was the last head coach of the former Aces team prior to the sale of the franchise, was retained as head coach.[7]

On April 5, Converge ICT formally unveiled their team under the name Converge FiberXers.[8] It was also announced that the assistant coaches of the former Alaska team were retained.[9] Erstwhile Alaska Aces board governor and team manager Richard Bachmann served as the assistant team manager of the FiberXers.[10]

In August 2022, Cariaso was released as the head coach of the team and was replaced by Aldin Ayo.[11][12]

Roster
Converge FiberXers roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#POBNameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY–MM–DD)From
F 0 Thailand Fornilos, Inand (R) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Ateneo
G 1 United States Vigan-Fleming, Kamron (R) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 183 lb (83 kg) Bethesda
G 3 United States Wong, Adrian 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1996–02–10 Ateneo
F/C 4 New Zealand Maagdenberg, Patrick (R) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 242 lb (110 kg) Ateneo
G 7 Philippines Balanza, Jerrick 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1996–09–06 Letran
F/C 8 Philippines Eboña, Barkley 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 1996–11–29 Far Eastern
G 11 Philippines Melecio, Aljun 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1998–07–25 De La Salle
G 12 United States Stockton, Alec 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998–06–24 Far Eastern
C 15 Philippines Arana, Justin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 231 lb (105 kg) 1999–03–21 Arellano
F 16 Philippines Racal, Kevin 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1991–05–16 Letran
F 17 Philippines Nieto, Mike 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1997–05–31 Ateneo
F/C 18 Philippines Ambohot, Jeo 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 193 lb (88 kg) 1996–11–18 Letran
C 25 Philippines Zaldivar, Keith 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 1996–05–25 Adamson
F 26 Philippines Santos, Bryan (R) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 209 lb (95 kg) UST
F 32 New Zealand Vodanovich, Tom (I) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 230 lb (104 kg) 1994–07–28 James Madison
G 77 United States Winston, Schonny (R) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998–07–22 De La Salle
G – Hong Kong Andrade, BJ Injured (R) 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Ateneo
G – Philippines Tallo, Mac 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 187 lb (85 kg) 1994–01–02 Southwestern-U
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Team manager
  • Philippines Jacob Lao
  • Philippines CK Kanapi-Daniolco (assistant)


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (I) Import
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (R) Rookie
  • (3x3) Assigned to 3x3 team
  • Injured Injured

Roster

Season-by-season records
Records from the 2022–23 PBA season:
Conf.Team nameElimination roundPlayoffs
FinishWLPCTStageResults
PHIConverge FiberXers7th/1256.455QuarterfinalsTNT** 116, Converge 95
COM4th/1384.667QuarterfinalsSan Miguel 2, Converge 0
GOV7th/1265.545QuarterfinalsSan Miguel** 121, Converge 105
Total elimination round1915.5590 Semifinals appearance
Total playoffs04.0000 Finals appearance
Total 2022–231919.5000 Championships
Total franchise1919.5000 Championships

*one-game playoffs
**team had the twice-to-beat advantage

References
  1. "PBA board approves sale of Alaska franchise to Converge ICT Solutions". PBA.ph. March 23, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  2. Catacutan, Dodo (February 16, 2022). "Alaska to bid the PBA goodbye at the end of the conference". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  3. "Five companies look to buy Alaska franchise says Willie Marcial". Dugout Philippines. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  4. Terrado, Reuben (March 19, 2022). "Cariaso hopes Alaska core kept as company in 'deep talks' to buy franchise". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  5. Dalupang, Denison Rey (March 24, 2022). "Despite being Smart/PLDT's industry rival, Converge gets unanimous vote as newest PBA franchise". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  6. "Former commissioner Chito Salud returns to PBA as governor of Converge". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. March 23, 2022.
  7. Terrado, Reuben (April 2, 2022). "Converge retains Jeff Cariaso as head coach". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  8. "Converge co-owners Dennis and Grace Uy unveil FiberXers". PBA.ph. April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  9. "Cariaso eyes one more deputy to intact Converge coaching staff". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  10. Mendoza, Val Jose (April 5, 2022). "Converge introduces new PBA team that go by the "Fiber Xers"". Yugatech. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  11. "Cariaso accepts Converge exit, but wishes he had more time with team". RAPPLER. August 9, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  12. Micaller, Bea (August 10, 2022). "It's official: Aldin Ayo takes over coaching reins for Converge". GMA News Online. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
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