If Dwight Howard wants to play in the PBA then Converge should go for it.
This is the statement of one of Converge’s chief backers, Pampanga Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda in an exclusive interview with Snow Badua.
Monitoring the developments and the statements of the former NBA superstar in his own social media accounts and on different news platforms, Pineda is happy at how eager the multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year is.
“Kung interesado lumaro si Dwight sa PBA, then gawan natin ng paraan. Let’s go for it, let’s make it happen for the fans, for the league and for our team,” said Pineda, whose application as Converge Governor was denied by the PBA board last May 2023.
“Kung gusto nyang lumaro sa Converge, good for the team. Imagine mo meron tayong ex-NBA ang maglalaro. It will be good for the league. For promotion (ng Converge at ng liga), malaking bagay yun,” he added.
Asked if he is worried at the possibility of the PBA board again revising the height restrictions, the soft-spoken Pineda expressed optimism.
“Palagay ko hindi naman para baguhin kasi ilang taon na yang height limit na yan eh,” said the discoverer of PBA stars Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and even former MVP Arwind Santos.
“Pagbinaba nila ng 6-7 yan, iba na yun. Pero I think they won’t do that kasi ikakaganda ng liga yan eh (yung pagpasok ni Howard). Ikagaganda ng league yan eh,” added Pineda.
(C) Delta Pineda
Still, the son of Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda believes that if and when the PBA decides to shorten the height limit again, Howard can still qualify.
“Alam ko 6-8 lang yan. Kasi sinukat eh. Yung 6-10 nya sa NBA, nakasapatos yun,” he said while revealing that he has already tasked Converge team manager Jacob Lao to measure Howard based on how the PBA is conducting it.
“Sinabi ko na yun kila Jacob at sa Converge na, try nyo nga sukatan ng same tape measure na gamit ng PBA at same process na ginagawa nila. Para magka-alaman na,” bared Pineda.
The MPBL champion coach however expressed support for the implemented PBA height restrictions but also hopes that the league will remain consistent with its rulings.
“Okay lang naman na may restrictions. Tama lang yun pero sana maging consistent sila kung ano talaga, hindi yung nagpapalit every season. So papano yun?” he said while expressing awareness of the sudden change to 6-9 limit to prevent Bay Area Dragons from bringing back Andrew Nicholson.
However, Bay Area’s return trip to the PBA did not push through as the Hong Kong-based squad disbanded due to financial problems.
Asked if Howard’s possibility of playing for Converge can bring an instant championship to the now struggling team, Pineda thinks otherwise.
“Hindi pa rin tayo sure na kung maglalaro sa Converge si Dwight Howard, magcha-champion agad. Hindi ganun, team pa rin yan,” he said.
“One piece of the puzzle lang si Dwight. His teammates will still play an integral role.”
Pineda was asked, can Converge afford Howard?
“Dinala na nga ng Strong Group eh. Partner ng Converge yun. Need na lang kausapin si Dwight regarding the pay,” he said.
