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Advocates Philippines
Christmas Showdown: Ginebra Faces Do-Or-Die Test Against Converge
Photo credit: PBA
Christmas Day once again puts Barangay Ginebra at center stage, but this time the spotlight comes with enormous pressure. The league’s most popular team enters the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinals in a must-win situation against twice-to-beat Converge.
The Gin Kings and the FiberXers collide at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, headlining the PBA’s annual Christmas Day special. While Ginebra is no stranger to holiday games, the challenge of balancing festive distractions with playoff intensity adds another layer of difficulty.
Beyond the Christmas atmosphere, Ginebra carries a heavier burden on the court. Converge owns the twice-to-beat advantage after finishing as the No. 4 seed. Both teams ended the eliminations with identical 7–4 records, but the FiberXers secured the higher ranking following their 106–96 victory over Ginebra in their elimination round matchup.
Ginebra enters the playoffs believing it still has another level to reach. While the Gin Kings have delivered solid performances throughout the conference, consistency has remained a challenge, and the quarterfinals present the perfect moment to put together their most complete game.
Standing in their way is a young, confident Converge squad led by Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Juan Gomez de Liano, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston. The FiberXers are also fueled by fresh leadership, with coach Delta Pineda making his first playoff appearance as a PBA head coach, reinforced by the addition of veteran forward Vic Manuel.
Interestingly, the two teams met at the same stage in the previous Philippine Cup, though under very different circumstances. Ginebra held the twice-to-beat advantage then and eliminated Converge en route to a semifinal clash with eventual champion San Miguel Beer.
This time, Converge is aiming for payback, while Ginebra looks to protect its proud playoff tradition. On a day filled with holiday cheer, the Gin Kings will once again rely on their trademark never-say-die spirit to keep their season alive.
The Gin Kings and the FiberXers collide at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, headlining the PBA’s annual Christmas Day special. While Ginebra is no stranger to holiday games, the challenge of balancing festive distractions with playoff intensity adds another layer of difficulty.
Beyond the Christmas atmosphere, Ginebra carries a heavier burden on the court. Converge owns the twice-to-beat advantage after finishing as the No. 4 seed. Both teams ended the eliminations with identical 7–4 records, but the FiberXers secured the higher ranking following their 106–96 victory over Ginebra in their elimination round matchup.
Ginebra enters the playoffs believing it still has another level to reach. While the Gin Kings have delivered solid performances throughout the conference, consistency has remained a challenge, and the quarterfinals present the perfect moment to put together their most complete game.
Standing in their way is a young, confident Converge squad led by Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Juan Gomez de Liano, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston. The FiberXers are also fueled by fresh leadership, with coach Delta Pineda making his first playoff appearance as a PBA head coach, reinforced by the addition of veteran forward Vic Manuel.
Interestingly, the two teams met at the same stage in the previous Philippine Cup, though under very different circumstances. Ginebra held the twice-to-beat advantage then and eliminated Converge en route to a semifinal clash with eventual champion San Miguel Beer.
This time, Converge is aiming for payback, while Ginebra looks to protect its proud playoff tradition. On a day filled with holiday cheer, the Gin Kings will once again rely on their trademark never-say-die spirit to keep their season alive.
Dec 23, 2025
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