A number of former Alaska players graced the media launch of Converge ICT Solutions’ PBA team name on Tuesday at the Edsa Shangri-La.
Jeron Teng led the six ex-Aces that went to the event organized by the newest ball club weeks after its acquisition of the storied franchise. He was with Allyn Bulanadi, Benedict Adamos, JC Marcelino, Bryan Faundo, and Rey Publico.
And in fact, they were also part of the FiberXers’ photo op on stage, together with team owners Dennis Anthony and Grace Uy, head coach Jeff Cariaso, and executives led by assistant team manager Dickie Bachmann.
Will those players be part of the lineup for Season 47? The young chief tactician was asked, and said that nothing is set in stone — for now.
“Honestly, I can’t say a hundred percent yet,” said Cariaso shortly after the presser. “These are the players who were available … the majority of the players are on a break, so we’ll see.
“We’ll see how the final lineup goes.”
Cariaso, though, shared that coaches and officials have met to discuss matters related to forming the team they would want to build.
Aiming to become as competitive as it can be, Converge is eyeing plenty of options to do just that — from re-signing players with expiring deals, to the Rookie Draft in May, and, of course, to pulling off trades.
“We have the luxury of options because — alam niyo naman ‘to e — aside from three players, everyone is expiring. We have options there,” he said.
“We’re excited about our draft picks,” he added as they have three picks in the upcoming draft. “This is one thing that I’ve been waiting for. One of the picks is from the Vic Manuel trade. We’ll get to see who we get to get for him.
“The foundation is what we’ve already established. Is there a need to tweak and make changes? Of course. We wanna be better, we wanna be competitive, so we’re looking forward to the new crop of players and even coaches.”
Yes, Cariaso’s staff will also be part of that revamp. The cager turned mentor said that they’re looking to add one more coach to their group, although he did not divulge any detail as to who they are talking to.
“We’re looking to add one. We don’t know who it is. I’m working hard now to talk to a couple of possible coaches,” he said.
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