Jordan Heading is looking forward to building with Converge following a winning PBA debut on Wednesday night against ironically the team that drafted him.
The lefty combo guard did not feel satisfied with the team’s performance despite the 116-87 beatdown of the rebooting Terrafirma. At the same time, though, he believes that the FiberXers will get to where they want to be over time.
“It’s good to get a first win underneath us,” he told reporters moments after the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup opener at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“I think we got a lot of work to do. Still wasn’t really happy with the way that we played, but that’s gonna come with time,” he continued.
Heading tallied eight points, four rebounds, and six assists as he was more active in sharing the ball. And that, he said, is part of the feeling-out stage with the team that acquired his rights from the Dyip via trade two weeks ago.
“I wasn’t coming in trying to jack up a bunch of shots, but just trying to find my guys and that’s kinda part of fitting into a new team,” he offered. “It’s just fitting in where you’re needed. And I think that I did OK with that.
“I think as a point guard, there’s still a lot of room for improvement. It’s not my immediate position, but I can play it. And I’m gonna get better at it if that’s what Coach Charles needs me to do,” the 28-year-old Australian added.
Definitely, there’s a lot more to expect from the youth-laden crew with Heading in tow, most especially with Justin Baltazar expected to join them in a few weeks.
The top pick of the 2024 PBA Draft is about to finish his contractual obligations with Pampanga in the MPBL. The Giant Lanterns are gearing up for the National Finals, where they will be up against Quezon in a best-of-7 series.
Heading himself can’t wait to see what’s in store for Converge when the talented 6-foot-8 big man from Mabalacat finally suits up for the franchise.
“I think there’s a lot of excitement about this team and I think it’s justified, you know, especially with Balti coming in a few weeks,” he said of his former Gilas teammate. “We’re really excited for that and I know everybody is as well.
“I think that’s gonna take our team to a whole new level – being able to play with both Justins down low, let alone Cheick [Diallo] as well,” he added.
“So I think as long as we keep moving in the right direction, in terms of our chemistry, and in terms of playing for each other rather than playing for ourselves,” Heading continued, “I think the sky’s the limit for us.”