Converge has franchise find as Baltazar enters Draft

Justine Baltazar. Photo from B.League

Justine Baltazar, the big man many see as Converge’s the top overall pick, officially threw his name in the PBA Draft on the eve of the deadline set by the league on Wednesday.

Baltazar formally submitted his application on Wednesday, joining notables who had put their names ahead of the Draft that will be held at Glorietta in Makati City on July 14.

Converge owns the right to select first after placing dead last in both the import-laden Commissioner’s Cup and Philippine Cup, winning just three out of 22 games combined.

Coach Aldin Ayo was not available for comment at press time. But he had said after the FiberXers’ final game of Season 48 that Converge intends to get someone who can turn things around.

“Hopefully we can get the players that would help us,” Ayo said then.

That may likely be Baltazar, whose versatility since his UAAP days at La Salle and impressive showing for Gilas Pilipinas three years ago in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers and Olympic Qualifying Tournament made him a potential game changer for Converge.

His connections with key figures within the FiberXers franchise also seems to make his selection a no-brainer, even if Dave Ildefonso, the former Ateneo hotshot in the UAAP, is reportedly considering joining the pool before the deadline lapses on Thursday.

Baltazar currently plays for the MPBL’s Pampanga team owned by Gov. Dennis Pineda, whose bid to become Converge’s team governor last year was thumbed down by the PBA board. The FiberXers eventually appointed Pineda’s son-in-law, Archen Cayabyab, to the post.

The 6-foot-9 standout was also handled in 2016 by Ayo, who steered La Salle to the UAAP championship. Baltazar also played in past international tournaments for Strong Group Athletics of the Lao family. Jacob Lao currently holds the role of Converge team manager.

Ildefonso, meanwhile, is set to play for SGA in the William Jones Cup, and will enter the Draft following a two-year stint with Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League.

He also has a connection with Converge, where his dad, PBA great Danny, is part of Ayo’s staff.

Applicants have until 5 p.m. on Thursday to turn in their papers at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City. Once the official list is finalized, rookie hopefuls will take part in next week’s Draft Combine at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Former Asean Basketball League player and Taiwan’s T1 League import Caelan Tiongson, Evan Nelle and CJ Cansino are among the other notable names already entered.