PBA: Aldin Ayo hints at changes after Jamaal Franklin leaves Converge puzzled

MANILA, Philippines-Converge coach Aldin Ayo called for a change in the offing after import Jamaal Franklin took an offensive nosedive in the FiberXers’ 120-101 loss to Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday.

Franklin attempted only five shots and finished with four points in the game held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, leaving Ayo and FiberXers confused considering the former NBA player was two days removed from a 57-point output in the overtime loss to the Meralco Bolts. .

“That’s for sure he took 36 [shots] or he took five. Then what’s the matter?” said Ayo, who praised the efforts of the citizens amid Franklin’s lack of violations. “Of course there will be changes, but I still can’t say what the final decision will be.”

But pressed that the change could include giving Franklin a pink slip, Let’s say the responsibility rests on the Converge top-ups, who likely have the same sentiment.

“It’s not my decision, it’s the management’s decision,” Ayo said.

Franklin came into the contest averaging 37.3 points in 23.1 attempts since replacing Ethan Rusbatch two games into the conference final season.

But against Ginebra, all-around help choose to pass the ball more than choosing to go for shots, regardless of whether it is contested or not, which they usually do.

Let’s then suggest that something happened when Franklin chose to deviate from his usual game.

“I was a little surprised, but there is a precedent,” he said. “Our previous game against Blackwater, you could see the body language there. And there are games like that too.

(I was a bit surprised, but there are some precedents. There are some games, especially against Blackwater, where the body language is different.)

“In the back of my mind, there’s only one more thing I can do. But these instructions are really for playing the game on the e-system. That’s what it’s like. But, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on.”

(In the back of my mind, there’s always a chance that he could do it again. But the instructions really play into the system. But I don’t know what’s going on.)

The situation only increased the final swoon by the FiberXers, who dropped their last three matches to miss out on the top four and a second advantage to beat in the quarters.

Behind Franklin, Converge is 4-0 and has a 6-2 record while in the South.

This is the second live conference that Converge has had issues with imports. Let’s choose not to play Quincy Miller during the game in the Commissioner’s Cup for disciplinary reasons.

RELATED STORY

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.