“It wasn’t a problem for him”: Delta Pineda praises Converge’s new import Donovan Smith in an important win

The Converge FiberXers rediscovered their winning form in the 2026 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup, delivering a dominant 130–103 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday, April 26, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Leading the charge was returning import Donovan Smith, who made an immediate impact in his first game back in the league after more than a year away. Smith imposed his presence early and often, finishing with 32 points and 12 rebounds in just around 23 minutes of action. His efficiency and energy on both ends of the floor set the tone for Converge, which controlled the game from the second quarter onward and never looked back.

“I’m glad to be back. I could have played a bit better but it was a good game, we got the win. I was a little bit sad that I couldn’t play against their import but it is what it is. It’s just my first game with these guys but we will do some more work together and get more Ws,” Smith said in the postmatch press conference.

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Smith’s debut performance was particularly noteworthy as it came against his former squad, adding an extra layer of motivation to his strong showing. His familiarity with the league and ability to quickly integrate into Converge’s system proved invaluable, especially for a team looking to regain momentum midway through the conference.

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Donovan Smith and the Converge FiberXers keep their momentum going, powering their way to win No. 4 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after beating the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 130-103! #PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/EbtjFqXg1q

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) April 26, 2026

The veteran reinforcement was brought in to replace Kylor Kelley, whose underwhelming stint prompted a swift change by the coaching staff. Head coach Delta Pineda had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Kelley’s performances, attributing much of the team’s earlier struggles to inconsistent production from the import position.

Pineda, however, had little doubt about Smith’s ability to deliver right away.

“He already has his experience with our league so it wasn’t a problem for him to play with us here in Converge,” Pineda added.

Beyond Smith’s individual brilliance, the FiberXers also showcased improved ball movement and defensive intensity, with several local players stepping up to complement their new import. The team’s offensive rhythm was evident in their 130-point explosion, one of their highest-scoring outputs of the conference so far.

With the convincing win, Converge improved to a 4–6 record, climbing to ninth place in the standings and keeping their playoff hopes alive. The victory could serve as a turning point as they aim to build consistency in the latter stages of the eliminations.

The FiberXers will look to sustain their momentum when they take on the NLEX Road Warriors on May 2 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, a crucial matchup that could further boost their chances of breaking into the top eight.

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