CONVERGE prized rookie big man Justine Baltazar is slowly getting into the groove this early in his first conference with the team that tabbed him No. 1 overall in last year’s Draft.
The 6-foot-8 Baltazar, forming a dreaded twin tower combination with 6-foot-7 Justin Arana, is a big boost for the FiberXers in the PBA Philippine Cup.
“Si Justin talagang hirap na hirap noong wala pa ako so nag-uusap kami na kailangan ko siyang tulungan and ang team,” Baltazar said. “Iyon nga, malaki ang expectations sa akin ng Converge. So, kailangan kong mag-double effort dito.
“Lalo kay Justin, kapag nagkakaabay kami o hindi, kailangan namin talaga mag-usap. Lalo na iyong mga bigs namin, kailangan naming step-up kasi kailangan namin itong mga panalo na ito,” he added.
Baltazar turned in a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds in Converge’s sorry 89-91 loss to Meralco in the FiberXers’ opening match last Friday.
The Mabalacat, Pampanga native finished with nine markers, 16 boards, and six assists in the Franco Atienza-mentored side’s 92-83 bounce-back victory over Phoenix last Sunday night.
Baltazar’s mettle should be tested today when the FiberXers face the Magnolia Hotshots, who have fellow Pampanga sons Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang.
“Siguro magiging ready lang ako kasi mga kuya ko iyon, mga Kapampangan,” Baltazar said. “Last conference hindi ko sila nakalaban.”
With lead playmaker Jordan Heading sidelined indefinitely due to a back injury, Baltazar and the rest of his teammates have big shoes to fill.
“Jordan was a top-five candidate for the BPC last conference. Hindi mapapalitan ng isang tao iyon. It’s a committee or a team, iyong nandoon and he brings a lot to the table,” Atienza said. “But kung hindi pa siya available, while waiting for him, we have 15 other guys who will hold the fort.
“We are confident na kung ano iyong mawala or habang hinihintay namin si Jordan, these guys are ready to step up.”
