Converge beefs up roster, acquires Fil-Aussie gunner

Sports

ONE of the best basketball talents is set to reinforce the Converge FiberXers in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

A move that will certainly make Converge a team to watch out for, the FiberXers have acquired Filipino-Australian guard Jordan Heading in a deal with the Terrafirma Dyip.

In acquiring the 6-foot-2 sharpshooter, Converge gave up Aljun Melecio, Keith Zaldivar, and a first-round pick in the PBA Season 51 Rookie Draft.

It will be a reunion of sorts for Converge head coach Charles Tiu and Heading as the two were together when the Tiu-coached Strong Group Athletic competed in various international tournaments.

Terrafirma picked Heading as the first overall pick in the Gilas round of the 2020 PBA Rookie Draft. Heading, however, opted to play overseas, suiting up with T1 club Taichung Wagor during the 2021-22 season. Heading then went to the B.League and played for Nagasaki a year later.

With Heading joining the likes of Alec Stockton, Justin Arana, and Alex Cabagnot, the FiberXers will be teeming with talents as agile big man Justine Baltazar could already join the squad.

The 6-foot-9 Baltazar is Converge’s first overall pick in this year’s PBA Draft but the former UAAP champion has yet to suit for the squad.

Baltazar is still under contract with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns and could only join the FiberXers once the ongoing Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League season ends.(CCM)