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.

History

Formation

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.

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

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. 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. Former PBA commissioner Chito Salud serves as the board governor of the new team. 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.

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

2022–23 season

Philippine Cup

Before the Philippine Cup, their 2023 first-round pick was traded to NLEX for Tyrus Hill and David Murrell. Converge also traded Kurt Lojera to Blackwater Bossing for bigman Yousef Taha. In mid-conference, Converge traded Robbie Herndon for 2023 and 2024 San Miguel Beermen's second-round pick. They also traded Ben Adamos, and Kurt Lojera to Phoenix Fuel Masters for Aljun Melecio, and Kris Porter.

Under Cariaso, Converge's first conference was rough, placed 7th in the standings and faced TNT Tropang Giga in the quarterfinals, but the Tropang Giga have twice to beat advantage, and defeated Converge in one game.

Commissioner's Cup

In August 2022, Cariaso was released as the head coach of the team and was replaced by Aldin Ayo. Converge traded Michael DiGregorio, Tyrus Hill, and RK Ilagan to Blackwater Bossing for Barkley Eboña and TNT's 2022 first-round pick. They also traded Allyn Bulanadi for Jerrick Balanza to NorthPort Batang Pier. The team paraded Quincy Miller as their import for the conference, but notable for being benched in some games due to his undisciplined behavior like being late in practice.

In Ayo's first conference as coach, he led the team into quarterfinals, only swept by San Miguel Beermen in two games.

Governors' Cup

Converge signed free-agent Bradwyn Guinto, And Danny Ildefonso reactivated in the roster due to injuries to other players.

Like their inaugural conference, Converge placed 7th and defeated by San Miguel Beermen in one game.

2023–24 season

Before the season start, Converge drafted Schonny Winston, and BJ Andrade. Team also signed Keith Zaldivar, Mac Tallo, resigned Kevin Racal, Jerrick Balanza, Aljun Melecio, Justin Arana, and Alec Stockton. But they released Maverick Ahanmisi to Ginebra, Jeron Teng, Barkley Eboña, and Mac Tallo, who have been terminated because of playing "''ligang labas''".

They also traded David Murrell and Abu Tratter, for Adrian Wong, and 2023 Magnolia's first-round pick. The team also traded the 2024 and 2025 Converge second-round pick to Rain or Shine for Mike Nieto.

In the middle of the Philippine Cup (season-ending conference in that season), Converge traded Jerrick Balanza for Magnolia Hotshots' 2024 second-round pick.

The season was notable for two conference for the national team preparations, but both with dismal performance for Converge. The losses was rumored to be a tanking tactic by the team in order to get the first overall pick in the next year's draft, but Aldin Ayo dismisses the allegations.

2024–25 season

Philippine Cup

In 2024 draft, Converge selected Justine Baltazar, an ex- La Salle bigman who also played for Ayo. But Baltazar will finish first the 2024 MPBL season with Pampanga as per his contract with the team.

But before the season start, Ayo resigned as head coach and McJour Luib as lead assistant coach. Longtime assistant Franco Atienza was appointed as interim coach. In addition, Benilde Blazers head coach Charles Tiu joined the coaching staff.

Current roster

Season-by-season records

''List of the last five conferences completed by the Converge franchise. For the full-season history, see List of Converge FiberXers seasons.''

''Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage''

Awards

Individual awards

PBA Press Corps Individual Awards

All-Star Weekend

References

{{Philippine Basketball Association navbox

2022 establishments in the Philippines
Basketball teams established in 2022