Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Aldin Ayo anticipates Justine Baltazar’s impact at Converge despite delay


Converge is more than willing to wait for Justine Baltazar to fulfill his obligations first before making his much-anticipated PBA debut.

The first overall pick of the recent Season 49 Draft won’t see action with the FiberXers in the major league right away, as he remains under contract with Pampanga and will have to finish the ongoing 2024 MPBL season.

Same goes with the other Giant Lanterns picked like Brandon Ramirez (NLEX), Kurt Reyson (Meralco), and Ronan Santos (Converge), as the reigning champions are looking to go back-to-back in the regional league.

“Well, they have to win first,” Converge head coach Aldin Ayo said during the draft proceedings held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

“Kami naman, we’re going to be patient,” the young mentor added.

“Whatever it is, kung anong decision ni Gov. Delta [Pineda], decision nina Boss Jacob [Lao], [team] Gov. Archen [Cayabyab], of course susundin natin.”

All that matters for the FiberXers is that they have secured Baltazar, who is finally joining the PBA after backing out in 2022 in favor of a B.League stint.

Needless to say, Ayo feels thrilled to have him on board, as they will be reuniting as well after working together at De La Salle University almost a decade ago.

UAAP-79-DLSU-vs.-UE-Baltazar-8361 Aldin Ayo anticipates Justine Baltazar's impact at Converge despite delay Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

“Aside from the talent and skills that he has, I know him personally,” said the proud 46-year-old son of Sorsogon as they won the UAAP Season 79 title together.

“We know that he’s a winner. We know that he’s going to do whatever it takes to help our team.”

The 6-foot-8 Baltazar’s arrival gives Converge more flexibility in its frontcourt given his versatility to play not only as a big but as a forward as well, Ayo says.

#ReadMore  Justine Baltazar shines in La Salle's rout of Nagoya Gakuin

That will make their pair-up with Justin Arana intriguing, to say the least.

“Si Balti makakapaglaro ng kwatro eh. At ‘pag may dumating pa na big man, or may import, we might slide him to the 3-spot. Ganun ka-versatile,” he said.

2023-MPBL-Season-Pampanga-vs-Imus-Justine-Baltazar-1 Aldin Ayo anticipates Justine Baltazar's impact at Converge despite delay Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

One thing fans are looking forward to in Baltazar’s PBA stint is his match-up against some of the league’s best big men, from seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to Christian Standhardinger.

It’s a tough task, without a doubt, but Ayo believes that his prized rook will be able to compete as he trusts the winning mentality ‘Balti’ possesses.

“He can. As I’ve told you, he has the skills, the talent. Pero more than that, yung ugali. He’s gonna do more,” said the second-year Converge chief mentor.

“He’ll find a way,” he furthered. “Kasi, if you’re going to compare Balti to June Mar, Standhardinger and sina Japeth [Aguilar], mas malalaki ‘yun kay Balti and probably more experienced. Mga beterano eh.

“Pero, dun papasok ‘yung character, ‘yung grit na he’ll find a way to compete and he’ll find a way to win.”

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Magnolia kept its hold of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup leadership firmly following a 118-99 victory over Phoenix in Zamboanga City, Saturday. The...

Basketball

Ginebra paid dearly for coming in ‘unprepared’ against San Miguel. The Kings got beaten badly in the battle between traditional contenders in PBA Philippine...

Basketball

Javi Gomez de Liano isn’t hiding that he misses home so much that coming back and playing in the PBA again is actually among...

Basketball

What was expected by many to be a grindout affair between two PBA Philippine Cup favorites turned out to be a snoozefest instead as...

Basketball

Blackwater went on a tear in the third quarter and never let up on its way to sending NorthPort skidding, 120-98, to break through...

Basketball

Three interested buyers are now in talks with the Philippine Basketball Association now that Starhorse Shipping Lines, Inc. is out of the picture. Two...

Basketball

Jeremiah Gray is hoping for the best after hurting his right knee during Ginebra’s eventual win over Terrafirma in their PBA Philippine Cup opener...

Basketball

Ginebra found itself opening its PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup campaign in the very same venue it lost to TNT weeks ago. But the...

Advertisement