The PBA offseason is proving to be a minefield of contract negotiations and player movements. Amidst the chaos, the focus now turns to Converge's rising star, Schonny Winston, who finds himself at a crossroads. According to a report by Spin.ph, the 6-foot-4 all-purpose guard is conflicted, torn between his affection for playing with his teammates and a feeling of being underappreciated.
Winston is fresh off a breakout conference where he overperformed his rookie contract, averaging an impressive 16.08 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the Philippine Cup. His fiery play, ruthless mid-range efficiency (49.3 percent shooting), and strong defense earned him multiple Player of the Game honors and a spot in the Top 20 of the Best Player of the Conference statistical race—a remarkable feat for a non-starter.
But as the numbers soared on the court, they didn't quite add up off it. Winston, despite a max offer of P420,000 a month from Converge, is looking for more. "I don't want to sound ungrateful," he told Spin.ph in a telephone interview. "But players talk about salary stuff all the time, and I don't really care how much others make. I just want my fair share." Winston isn't just focused on the base salary, but on other contract aspects such as won-game bonuses, performance-related incentives, and increases in living and transportation allowances.
In a show of good faith, Converge has reached out to Winston, who is currently in the US, and is willing to listen to his requests. A team official noted that while a deal is hard to negotiate remotely, they "will be happy to discuss the other terms he requested" upon his return to Manila. The hope is that a face-to-face meeting can bridge the gap and lead to a mutual agreement.
If Converge can successfully keep Winston, it will be seen as a huge image win for the franchise. While perennial powerhouses like Ginebra and Magnolia are seeing their key players—Jamie Malonzo and Will Navarro, respectively—depart for lucrative overseas contracts, Converge would have shown that it can manage to retain its most vital young talent. In a league where the power dynamic is constantly being tested by international offers, the ability of a team like Converge to lock up a player of Winston's caliber would be a powerful statement, proving that they are not just a stepping stone, but a legitimate home for the league's future stars.
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