Converge eyeing higher occasions forward with prime draft choose Baltazar

Justine Baltazar is the primary general choose by the Converge FiberXers within the 2024 PBA Season 49 Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web

Justine Baltazar understands the strain of being the person trusted to take Converge to the subsequent stage.

However Baltazar, who as anticipated was chosen by the FiberXers No. 1 general within the PBA Draft on Sunday, is ensuring he’ll be able to tackle the brand new problem of not solely turning the franchise round but additionally dealing with off with the league’s prime stars.

“I don’t need to let strain get into me and guarantee that I can do my position effectively,” Baltazar stated after being the primary title known as within the late afternoon, early-evening proceedings at Glorietta 4 Exercise Heart in Makati Metropolis.

The number of Baltazar was no shock regardless of the entry of different fancied prospects within the annual draft that lasted six rounds and 48 out of 67 candidates being taken.

Coach Aldin Ayo, who had earlier hinted of his choose with the crew’s want for dimension and flexibility, felt that Baltazar is the man that matches the FiberXers’ want.

“He has every part we wish,” Ayo stated. “I do know he’s a winner and I do know he’s going to do no matter it takes to make the crew win.”

However it could take time earlier than Baltazar will get to go well with up within the nation’s huge league with the onetime Gilas Pilipinas mainstay and La Salle product nonetheless dedicated to play for Pampanga within the ongoing MPBL season.

Converge, nonetheless, is keen to attend.

“We’ll be affected person,” stated the Converge mentor.

No shock at No. 2

As soon as he makes his FiberXers debut, Baltazar is eager on holding his personal towards the likes of June Mar Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger and different frontcourt gamers who’ll function stern assessments for the 27-year-old.

“I’ll simply put together myself as a result of dealing with somebody like June Mar who’s a seven-time MVP is not any joke,” Baltazar stated.

There was additionally no shock as to who went No. 2 as Blackwater took Fil-American guard Sedrick Barefield, who was additionally thought of as a possible prime choose had Converge determined to make a U-turn.

Then Barangay Ginebra snagged RJ Abarrientos at at No. 3, which was paying homage to what coach Tim Cone, then teaching Alaska, did when he made RJ’s uncle Johnny the third general selection 31 years in the past. The younger Abarrientos is the product of a shocking swap of gamers and picks with Terrafirma on the eve of the draft.

Cone is hoping for a repeat with the third-generation Abarrientos, who will companion with new acquisition Stephen Holt in a now-younger Gin Kings backcourt.

Ateneo’s Kai Ballungay went No. 4 with Phoenix, NorthPort took Dave Ildefonso at No. 5 and NLEX chosen La Salle’s Jonnel Policarpio at No. 6.

Caelan Tiongson’s drop when it comes to draft inventory allowed Rain or Shine to nab him at No. 7 earlier than the identical crew grabbed a digital unknown in Fil-Swedish Felix Lemetti.

Magnolia grabbed Adamson’s Jerom Lastimosa, Terrafirma landed Mark Nonoy of La Salle, Meralco picked College of the Philippines’ CJ Cansino and San Miguel Beer drafted Fil-Canadian Avan Nava to conclude the primary spherical. INQ