CONVERGE finally made the much-needed import switch in an effort to salvage its sagging campaign in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup.
On the brink of elimination with its mediocre 3-6 record, the FiberXers decided to part ways with the seven-foot Kylor Kelly and bring in former Phoenix power forward Donovan Smith with three games remaining in the team’s elimination round calendar.
Kelly played what would turn out to be his last game in a Converge uniform last Wednesday where the FiberXers shocked the Bol Bol-led TNT Tropang 5G, 97-92.
Kelly logged in his lowest-scoring PBA output of just four points, along with nine rebounds in 31 minutes of playing time.
Local big man Justin Araña carried the load and managed to hold his own against Bol as the former PBA Rookie of the Year finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Converge to the huge upset over TNT.
With the 6-foot-9 Smith, Converge now has a solid inside operator, who can match up with opposing team’s big reinforcements, and one who has the ability to score in bunches.
His strong inside presence is expected to complement Converge’s array of outside shooters led by rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, Mikey Williams and Archie Concepcion.
The 32-year-old American saw PBA action for Phoenix in the 2024–25 Commissioner’s Cup, where he averaged 30.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.2 steals per contest.
Smith recently played for Busan KCC Egis in the Korean Basketball League where he averaged 7.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.
Converge will have to sweep its three remaining games in the elims against Phoenix, NLEX and Blackwater.
