We floated the idea recently that the Converge FiberXers desperately needed to consider an import change to salvage their sinking PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup campaign. It seems management agreed, and they are officially pulling the trigger.
After giving their original reinforcement Jalen Hudson the boot for an underwhelming offensive output—averaging just 12 points per game—Converge had hoped that bringing back a familiar face would ignite their dull offense. What happened instead was a disastrous three-game spiral that transformed a sparkling 3-1 start into a 3-4 nightmare.
And just like that, the Jamaal Franklin reunion tour is over.
The Defensive Disaster
When Franklin first suited up for Converge in 2023, he was an absolute revelation, turning heads across the league by averaging a staggering 34 points a game. Naturally, the FiberXers hoped he could recapture that magic this conference.
Instead, his return has been a massive disappointment, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.
While Franklin still managed to put up numbers—averaging 27.3 points in his three appearances—the efficiency was glaringly absent as he shot just 44.7 percent from the field. But the real issue was the defensive sieve he created. With Franklin as their anchor, Converge bled a staggering 355 total points over three consecutive losses. The breaking point came on Tuesday during a 126-114 defeat to the San Miguel Beermen, where Franklin watched his counterpart, George King, completely torch him for 46 points.
Enter Cameron Clark: A Stabilizing Force?
With their Group A playoff hopes dwindling, multiple sources indicate that Converge is planning to bring in veteran Cameron Clark to right the ship.
While Clark’s immediate availability remains slightly uncertain, he represents an incredibly logical and solid choice for a team in freefall. The 34-year-old Oklahoma alum, who went undrafted in the 2014 NBA Draft, boasts an extensive international resume and, crucially, deep familiarity with the PBA style of play.
Clark is a proven commodity on Philippine soil. His return engagement will mark another chapter in a busy local career that includes:
Suiting up for NLEX in 2022.
Playing for San Miguel in 2023.
Serving as a Blackwater backup in 2024.
Dominating for the guest team Hong Kong Eastern in the 2024-25 Commissioner's Cup.
"Malakas 'yan," noted one PBA coach deeply familiar with Clark’s physical, steady exploits in the paint.
If Clark is indeed a go, Converge might finally find the two-way stability they have been desperately searching for. Head coach Delta Pineda will certainly be hoping that when it comes to imports this conference, the third time is truly the charm.
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