Romwel Anzures

Converge FiberXers rookie and PBA Season 49 Draft first overall pick Justine Baltazar. Photo from PBA Images.

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1734150182183IMG_5912.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Converge FiberXers rookie and PBA Season 49 Draft first overall pick Justine Baltazar. Photo from PBA Images."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Converge FiberXers rookie and PBA Season 49 Draft first overall pick Justine Baltazar. Photo from <em>PBA Images.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Highly-touted big man Justine Baltazar has finally made his entry into the PBA.</div><p>The 6-foot-7 center, the top overall pick of the Season 49 Rookie Draft, made his debut for the Converge FiberXers last Thursday after sitting out the first conference as he was still with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL.</p><p>However, following his back-to-back championships with Pampanga, Baltazar went quiet as the red-hot NorthPort Batang Pier spoiled his first game by handing him a 108-101 loss at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2024/12/12/pba-northport-spoils-baltazars-converge-debut-to-remain-perfect-1933">READ: NorthPort spoils Baltazar&#x27;s Converge debut to remain perfect</a></div><p>“Maganda naman yung nilaro namin, nung fourth quarter lang naman kami nag kulang,” said Balti, who appeared for 20:43 minutes and tallied five points (2/5 FGs), four rebounds, three assists, and a steal.</p><p>Despite the Franco Atienza and Charles Tiu-mentored squad leading in the first three cantos, the now 5-0 Batang Pier rediscovered their form in the fourth all thanks to the efforts of Joshua Munzon, Arvin Tolentino, and Evan Nelle, but Baltazar does not see this as a major setback for him and his squad.</p><p>“Two days pa lang ako nag pa-practice sa kanila, kaya nangangapa pa ako sa mga kasama ko,” said the two-time MPBL Season and Finals MVP. “Pero marami pa namang games so kailangan ko lang bumawi.”</p><p>The former De La Salle University big also admitted that the wear-and-tear of the recently-concluded season of the regional league might have played a factor in his PBA debut, but he vows to live up to his billing albeit taking his time to do so.  </p><p>“Sa akin kasi, yung playing time ko konti pa kasi nga galing pa ako sa [MPBL], pero basta ready lang ako kapag hinugot ako,” he pointed out. “Marami pang kulang eh. Ilang araw ko pa lang silang nakasama, so kailangan pa naming magkaamuyan sa game para maging solid kami.”</p><p>Fortunately for Balti, he is coached by none other than Tiu, his former Strong Group Athletics mentor, and also helping him jell with Converge even more is having his SGA teammate Jordan Heading.</p><p>“’Di naman ako nanibago kay Coach Charles, tapos nakasama ko pa si Heading sa SGA,” the Kapampangan bared. “Malaki pa rin naman tiwala sa akin ni Coach Charles.”</p><p>Balti and the FiberXers can regain their winning ways on Tuesday, December 17, when they face the NLEX Road Warriors, still at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, at 5:00 p.m.<strong></strong><br/></p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABRvZUNw68EiCdCZ&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script>

<p>Highly-touted big man Justine Baltazar has finally made his entry into the PBA.</p>

PBA: Justine Baltazar keeping his head high despite quiet debut for Converge

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PBA: Justine Baltazar keeping his head high despite quiet debut for Converge

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 14, 2024 12:55 PM PHT

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