PBA Primer: Converge, Phoenix Put Respective Win Streaks At Stake

We’re in for a treat on PBA Wednesday, with both Converge and Phoenix putting their respective five-game win streaks on the line.

javee mocon phoenix
Photo from PBA Images

PBA Wednesday Games (November 9, 2022)

Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum

First Game: Phoenix Super LPG versus Converge FiberXers (3:00 PM)

Second Game: NLEX Road Warriors versus NorthPort Batang Pier (5:45 PM)

Elite offense versus elite defense

Phoenix Super LPGConverge FiberXers
Offensive Rating99.1 (11th)110.8 (2nd)
Defensive Rating97.0 (1st)103.3 (6th)
Pace78.7 (7th)80.5 (2nd)
Standing5-3 (5th)6-2 (T-2nd)
*Stats per RealGM (as of 11/08/2022)

Previous Games: Phoenix won against TNT Tropang Giga, 91-88; Converge won against NLEX, 108-84

It’s always exciting to see an elite offense and an elite defense trying to cross each other out. With Converge’s second-ranked offense going up against the wall that is Phoenix’s top-ranked defense, we might see this game go down the wire. Containing Converge import Quincy Miller might be easier said than done, especially with how well he’s shooting (62.2% True Shooting) and how good he is at finding his open teammates. The Fuel Masters might try to keep the tempo down and hone in on their transition defense to prevent a running team like the FiberXers from getting into a groove.

Converge’s defense will have to take advantage of Phoenix’s tendency for miscues. Phoenix loves to move the ball (third-best 23.8 assists as a team) but they compile a lot of turnovers (league-worst 19.0 TOs) too. The Fuel Masters have to learn how to sync their movements on offense, and when they do, they’ll be a very difficult team to put away.


NorthPort Needs to fix their offense fast

NLEX Road WarriorsNorthPort Batang Pier
Offensive Rating105.1 (7th)100.2 (10th)
Defensive Rating111.3 (12th)106.9 (9th)
Pace79.9 (4th)74.8 (12th)
Standing3-4 (T-8th)3-5 (10th)
*Stats per RealGM (as of 11/08/2022)

Previous Games: NLEX lost to Converge, 108-84; NorthPort lost to Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 76-75

Despite having a multi-dimensional scorer and playmaker in Robert Bolick, the Batang Pier’s offense has not done enough to win them more games this conference. Can Bolick be more successful in a more run-and-gun play style? NorthPort is currently the second-slowest team on the offensive end of the floor, so they could try to increase the pace against NLEX. Bolick has a sharpshooter in Arvin Tolentino who he can find in transition, or he could hit a rim-running Prince Ibeh or Will Navarro. Either way, NorthPort has to whip up something new to fix their ailing offense before it’s too late.

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