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.
“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.
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.
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.”
