Delta Pineda praise Converge, Juan Gomez de Liano despite quarterfinal PBA exit

The Converge FiberXers saw their 2025 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup campaign come to a heartbreaking end on Sunday, December 28, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum after absorbing a narrow 98–99 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the quarterfinals.

In a tightly contested matchup that went down to the final possession, Stephen Holt emerged as the hero for Barangay Ginebra, drilling a buzzer-beating three-pointer to seal the Gin Kings’ advance and deny Converge a breakthrough semifinals appearance.

Despite the painful defeat, Converge head coach Delta Pineda emphasized his pride in the FiberXers, who pushed one of the league’s most decorated franchises to the limit. Pineda noted that his squad showed resilience and maturity beyond its years, particularly against a battle-tested Ginebra side accustomed to high-pressure moments.

Converge coach Delta Pineda after Converge’s stinging loss in the #PBA50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ClP0fNm1lH

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) December 28, 2025

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Pineda reserved special praise for rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, who continued to strengthen his case as one of the country’s premier young talents. After a quiet outing in Game 1, where he was limited to nine points in Converge’s 105–85 loss, the 26-year-old responded in emphatic fashion in the do-or-die Game 2. Gomez de Liano poured in 25 points to go along with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal, providing the offensive spark that kept the FiberXers within striking distance until the final seconds.

“Before this game, I told him that he needs to bring back his presence after what happened in the last game. He needed to make a statement and it was good. That performance is good for him. He is a great kid. He was determined to do his best for the team,” Pineda said to the media after the loss.

Beyond individual performances, Pineda highlighted the collective effort of his team, which refused to back down against the reigning champions and showed flashes of a promising future.

“We brought the fight to a champion team and a more experienced team. I think we did our best, still. I guess the game tonight just wasn’t for us,” he added.

While the FiberXers fell short of their ultimate goal, the quarterfinal exit marked another step forward for a young Converge squad that continues to gain valuable postseason experience. With emerging leaders like Gomez de Liano and a core that has shown it can compete with the league’s elite, Converge leaves the Philippine Cup with optimism, believing that deeper playoff runs are well within reach in the seasons to come.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.