The "Converge war room" is reportedly heating up as frustration mounts over Alec Stockton’s inconsistent but high-ceiling performances. While the FiberXers sit in a comfortable playoff position, the whispers of a trade have become too loud to ignore. Logically, Converge shouldn't trade a 27-year-old guard with $41.5\%$ three-point accuracy just for the sake of change—but if they find a deal that stabilizes their roster, they might just bite.
Given the current landscape of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, three teams stand out as perfect landing spots for the versatile Fil-Am guard.
#3. San Miguel Beermen
The Verdict: Finding the Heir to the Throne.
The San Miguel Beermen are currently the top seed, but their backcourt is one of the oldest in the league. While Chris Ross (40) and Marcio Lassiter (38) are still performing, the "Death 15" lacks a dynamic, young guard they can entrust the franchise to once the legends hang it up.
The Fit: Stockton’s ability to defend the league’s best guards would take the defensive load off CJ Perez.
The Logic: SMB has a history of acquiring established talent to extend their championship windows. Stockton provides the "youth infusion" they desperately need to ensure their dominance continues into the next decade.
#2. Titan Ultra Giant Risers
The Verdict: A Franchise Cornerstone for the Newcomers.
The league’s newest franchise, the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, finished their inaugural Philippine Cup in 9th place with a 4-7 record. While Joshua Munzon and Calvin Abueva have provided veteran leadership, the team lacks a definitive "point guard of the future" to organize their offense.
The Fit: Standing 6'2", Stockton provides a bigger guard presence that can play alongside Fran Yu or lead the second unit.
The Logic: Titan has a war chest of second-round picks and young assets. Trading for Stockton would give them a proven PBA scorer who is just entering his prime, accelerating their timeline from "newcomers" to "contenders."
#1. Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots
The Verdict: The Perfect Partner for Lastimosa.
Topping our list is the Magnolia Hotshots. While the team recently activated rookie sensation Jerome Lastimosa, the Hotshots' backcourt rotation is still heavily reliant on aging veterans like Mark Barroca and Paul Lee.
The Fit: Lastimosa is a lightning-quick playmaker, but at 5'11", he can be vulnerable against the league’s bigger guards. Alec Stockton is the "big guard" (6'2") that Magnolia lacks. A Lastimosa-Stockton backcourt offers a terrifying blend of speed, perimeter defense, and elite shooting.
The Logic: Magnolia needs a jolt of energy to fix their offensive stagnation. Stockton’s "stopper" mentality fits the Hotshots' defensive-first identity perfectly, while his floor spacing (41.5% from 3) would give Lastimosa more room to operate in the paint.
Comments
Post a Comment