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Projected 2024 PBA Rookie Draft top pick Justine Baltazar. Photo from PBA Images.

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Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1720610758630IMG_4402.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Projected 2024 PBA Rookie Draft top pick Justine Baltazar. Photo from PBA Images.</div>MANILA — Justine Baltazar has finally entered the PBA Rookie Draft.Two years after he initially submitted his papers to join the annual proceedings, the 6-foot-8 big man from Pampanga will now be among the aspirants who are hoping to get their names called for a chance to play in the PBA.But unlike the rest of the prospects in this year&#x27;s batch, his entry to the league is seemingly already clear as the Converge FiberXers are expected to select the MPBL star.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/05/12/22/justine-baltazar-withdraws-from-pba-rookie-draft">FROM 2022: Justine Baltazar withdraws from PBA Rookie Draft</a></div>Still, Baltazar maintained that nothing is set in stone.&quot;Tignan muna natin sa draft sa July 14,&quot; Baltazar said on the sidelines of today&#x27;s Draft Combine in Pasig City.&quot;Pero pine-prepare ko rin yung sarili ko, then tignan ko kung tatapusin ko yung MPBL o maglalaro na ako sa PBA,&quot; continued the former De La Salle University big, who still has a contract with the Giant Lanterns in the MPBL.It was with Pampanga wherein he won an MPBL title, a season MVP, and a Finals MVP plum, and he said that it has helped him regain confidence after his cameo in the Japan B.League with the Hiroshima Dragonflies&quot;Hindi pa ako healthy last year, tapos hindi ako masyadong nakalaro overseas. Kumuha ako ng kumpiyansa sa MPBL, hanggang sa ito, bumabalik na rin yung laro ko. Ngayong taon, balak ko na magpa-draft talaga, ready na talaga ako sa PBA,&quot; he said.&quot;Pero malaking tulong pa rin yun sakin kasi yung nakakalaban ko sa ibang bansa, grabe rin, mga ex-NBA player eh. Madadala ko yun dito sa PBA.&quot;&quot;Sobrang laking tulong kasi sa MPBL, doon ko kinukuha yung kumpiyansa ko eh. Pagdating ko ng PBA, hindi na ako masyadong mangangapa o mahihirapan,&quot; he added.He acknowledged that the FiberXers may fill their needs with the talent, skills, and resume that he brings to the table.&quot;Kulang sila sa big man. Kung palarin ako na makuha ng Converge, malaking bagay din ako doon kasi kulang sila sa big man,&quot; he explained.Converge head coach Aldin Ayo also touched on what they are looking for in the draft, though he insisted they are still undecided.&quot;Nagde-desisyon pa kami. Pinag-uusapan namin nila Boss Jacob [Lao] pero probably we are gonna look for a player who is versatile enough to produce yung kulang namin sa especially sa depensa. Butas namin talaga, ceiling. Kulang kami sa malaki,&quot; he said in a separate interview.&quot;And at the same time, firepower. Kulang din kami sa offense. Kung sino man yun, yun ang de-desisyunan ng management and ng coaching staff,&quot; the NCAA and UAAP champion mentor added.That is why at least for now, what Baltazar is savoring is finally having the chance to bang bodies with some of the PBA&#x27;s finest bigs in June Mar Fajardo, Raymond Amazan, and fellow Kapampangans Ian Sangalang and Japeth Aguilar.&quot;[Looking forward ako sa] mga idol ko, si June Mar, Almazan, yung Kapampangan na si Ian Sangalang, mga kuya ko, si Japeth Aguilar.&quot;The draft proceedings will be held on Sunday, July 14, at Glorietta in Makati City.<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="3062024"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

Balti on potentially joining Converge as top pick: 'Malaking bagay ako doon'

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Balti on potentially joining Converge as top pick: 'Malaking bagay ako doon'

Romwel Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 10, 2024 09:20 PM PHT

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Updated Jul 11, 2024 01:19 AM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

PBA

PBA Rookie Draft

Converge FiberXers

Aldin Ayo

Justine Baltazar

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