Tom Vodanovich cleared to join Converge in QF match vs. SMB

One year after taking the Smart Araneta Coliseum by storm with New Zealand, Tom Vodanovich makes a return to the said arena with saving Converge's debut PBA season as the main goal. FIBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Tom Vodanovich has been allowed by the PBA to replace Jamaal Franklin as Converge import for its Governors' Cup quarterfinal game against San Miguel.

The league announced on Saturday that the New Zealand international is eligible to play the night after at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City as the FiberXers look to keep their season alive.

Vodanovich, listed at six-foot-seven in various pages with his profile, made the six-foot-six height limit after he was measured by PBA officials.

Vodanovich is fresh from his stint in the Australian NBL, where his New Zealand Breakers finished runners-up to the Sydney Kings in the league finals earlier this week.

He is not new to playing at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as he starred for the Tall Blacks when they mauled Gilas Pilipinas in the second window of the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers right at "The Big Dome" last year.

Converge needs to beat SMB twice to make the semifinals, while the latter only needs to win once to enter the next round.

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