Count Justine Baltazar as the latest protege of ‘Lakay.’
The 2024 top overall pick has now begun working with Danny Ildefonso and proof of how much he’s learning from the PBA legend showed on Christmas Day when Converge walloped Meralco in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
“Malaking bagay din ‘yung tinuturo sa akin ni Coach Danny, kaya nagpapasalamat din ako sa kanya,” he said moments after their 110-94 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday for their fourth straight win.
Balti submitted his best scoring performance to date, finishing with 15 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and a 4-of-5 clip from the charity stripe. He also collected seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.
He only scored a total of 21 points in his first four games and Wednesday’s showing was big thanks to the two-time PBA MVP, who has also been mentoring Justin Arana since he came into the league in 2022.
“Sabi niya… kasi tiwala sa akin ang mga coaches eh, lagi ako nagagamit sa loob, so kailangan kong paghirapan talaga sa training, pagtrabahuhin ‘yung shooting ko, ‘yung post ko, para maapply ko sa game,” Baltazar said.
He did just that and his efforts have ultimately enabled Converge to remain one of the hottest teams in the conference — and rise in the standings. They’ve now gained a share of the third spot with Hong Kong Eastern as both are at 6-2.
“Siguro dahil tumatagal na ‘ko sa team, and then sa practice. Kita niyo, ilang game akong pangit ‘yung nilalaro ko, pero siyempre trabaho pa rin ako. Shooting shooting ako,” the first-ever two-time MPBL Most Valuable Player said.
It was actually Baltazar’s — or perhaps most from the Converge team — first time to play on Christmas Day but there wasn’t any homesickness whatsoever from his side, for his home was right there at the Big Dome.
His family and siblings were in attendance, and the FiberXers’ dominant win against the Bolts has given them even more reason to celebrate.
“Sobrang happy ko rin kasi kahapon kasama ko rin ‘yung mga kapatid ko, inano namin ‘yung Christmas dito sa Manila, sabay-sabay kami. Masaya. Nanood pa sila,” said the La Salle product. “Kaya confident talaga ako.”
