SIX-foot-9 center Justine Baltazar yesterday climbed the stage of the Ayala Malls Glorietta 4 activity center in Makati seemingly carrying on his shoulders the weight of hopes and dreams of a young Converge ballclub that has failed to connect in its first two years in the pro league.
Like the story of the Biblical Magi, the tall task of gifting the FiberXers the needed boost to reach the Promised Land now falls on Baltazar.
Converge made Baltazar the No. 1 pick overall in the annual PBA 49th season rookie Draft.
A former La Salle standout and Gilas Pilipinas national team training pool member, Baltazar, 27, said he is raring to see action for coach Aldin Ayo, with whom he won a title with the Green Archers in the UAAP in 2016.
“Sobrang excited ako sa bagong team ko,” Baltazar said. “Last year, kulang sila sa big man, walang katulong (si Justin Arana), so magiging maganda.”
Blackwater went for highly touted Fil-Am guard Sedrick Barefield with the second pick, while Ginebra chose former Far Eastern University star RJ Abarrientos as the third selection in the proceedings.
The Kings moved up to No. 3 after they swapped Draft choices with the Terrafirma Dyip last Saturday–and shipped prized big man Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle for Stephen Holt and Isaac Go.
Phoenix got former Ateneo forward Kai Ballungay at fourth while Dave Ildefonso was taken by NorthPort at fifth.
NLEX opted for former La Salle cager and Draft Combine MVP Jonnel Policarpio at No. 6 in newly appointed Road Warriors tactician Jong Uichico’s first official function with the team.
Out to prove they are worthy of contracts as first round picks are Caelan Tiongson (seventh, Rain or Shine), Fil-Swedish Felix Lemetti (eight, Elasto Painters), Jerom Lastimosa (ninth, Magnolia), Mark Nonoy (10th, Terrafirma), and CJ Cansino and Fil-Canadian Avan Nava at No. 11 and 12, respectively.
Baltazar initially applied for the Draft in 2022 but pulled out at the last minute and instead signed with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League.
He averaged 12.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.0 block for the Archers in his swan song where he was named to the Mythical Team two years ago.
Baltazar was named season and finals MVP in the last MPBL cage wars for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns, with Ayo saying they will patiently wait for his new ace slotman–whether he finishes his stint in the regional league or promptly plunges into action for the FiberXers.
Forty-eight of the 67 total hopefuls heard their names called, with Baltazar leading the class and the fight for roster spots begins today in practice.
