PBA: Franklin ‘happy to be back’ with Converge after failed first stint
MANILA, Philippines–Returning import Jamaal Franklin is happy to be back playing for Converge despite a sour end to his previous stint with the team three years ago.
Franklin dropped 30 points, including four free throws after being fouled from the four-point line that tied the score late before the FiberXers went down 110-107 to the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
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“I mean, this was my first home playing out here,” said Franklin after Tuesday’s game at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The former NBA player suited up for Converge in the 2023 Governors’ Cup, putting up a series of high-scoring games in his 10 appearances, including a 57-point performance against Meralco.
But a sluggish showing against Barangay Ginebra left Converge dismayed, and Franklin was let go before the start of the playoffs.
“It was cut short, it was just some stuff that happened,” said Franklin. “But happy to be back, and just gotta keep going at it, and we just gotta get better and hopefully get on the winning circle again.”
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For his second stint, Franklin will get to reconnect with Justin Arana and Alec Stockton, who were with him in 2023, while hoping to form good chemistry alongside Mikey Williams, Juan Gomez de Liano and Justine Baltazar.
Converge dropped to 3-2 with the loss, but Franklin, who came in to replace the struggling Jalen Hudson, believes the team can do better.
“Alec and Justin are my guys, I’ve known them since my first time here,” Franklin said. “And I played against Mikey, he’s one hell of a player, he can score the ball, he’s one of the best scorers in this league.
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“So it’s always good playing with a guy like Mikey. He’s a good scorer, he’s keeping composure, he practices hard. So just happy to have him on our side now, and happy to have the players we have right now,” he added.
Next for Converge is on Saturday against unbeaten Group A leader NLEX at Mall of Asia Arena.