Justin Baltazar made his debut for the Converge Fiberxers in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. -PBA Images
There was little rest for a tired Justin Baltazar, who returned to action for the first time on Thursday for Converge Fiberexers.
“I had to. The team needs me,” Baltazar told some reporters before the FiberXers’ clash with Northport Batang Pier in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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Baltazar entered the court with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter and it didn’t take long for him to score a basket in his long-awaited debut in the big leagues.
The lanky 6-foot-9 Baltazar was just a week away from leading the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to their second consecutive MPBL championship, a mission he had to accomplish before making the jump to the PBA.
“This has been my dream since I started playing basketball,” the soft-spoken Baltazar said in Filipino. “I’ll be ready to give whatever the team needs from me.”
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However, Baltazar had a bad start to his PBA career as Northport lost to Converge 108–101.
He arrived more than an hour before tip-off, but had to fulfill some obligations before finally warming up.
After being asked by the Coliseum announcer for details to use for future reference, he met with Northport assistant coach Jeff Napa, who had guided Baltazar as a high school standout at National University-Nazareth School.
Baltazar then posed for Christmas-themed photos and then took a mug shot while wearing his No. 19 Fiberaxers jersey.
Will keep an eye on the team
Converge lost its second game in four contests, while Northport kept its slate clean and extended its strong start to 5-0 in the midseason tournament.
But now with Baltazar on the roster, Converge will finally consider themselves one of the teams to keep an eye on.
Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, Shonee Winston and the rest of the Fiberaxers already started the conference with additional support by acquiring Jordan Heading from Terrafirma Diop, who held his rights after picking him in the 2021 Special Gilas Pilipinas Draft.
The FiberXers also have another big man to help Arana and Baltazar in Letran product Paolo Zavilonar, who went 19th overall in the rookie draft.
This gives Converge considerable depth in the front row in this Conference, especially with the stellar performances of Czech Diallo, imported to the club.
But on Thursday, all eyes were on Baltazar, who is regarded as someone who can easily change a franchise’s fortunes with his rare blend of skill and size.
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While selecting him meant the team would have to wait before fielding him, Converse knew selecting the former La Salle standout was no easy task.
