Converge keeps everyone guessing on selection day eve

Justine Baltazar during the PBA Rookie Draft combine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

There’s no doubt in Converge’s mind that the process of deciding which player to select first in Sunday’s PBA Rookie Draft is a difficult one.

“It’s difficult because you’ll have a lot of second-guessing,” coach Aldin Ayo said as the FiberXers will finally get to reveal who’s worthy to be tagged as the man who could be the cornerstone for the franchise’s goal of turning things around.

Whether it’s Justine Baltazar, the man many see as the expected pick, Filipino-American guard Sedrick Barefield, or any player on their mind, Converge seems assured of having someone who could make an immediate impact after a rough campaign in the 2023-24 season.

Baltazar’s entry to the proceedings that will be held at Glorietta 4 Activity Center almost makes it a cinch that Converge will be picking him, if only because his connections to the team are well-documented.

But even without such ties, Baltazar’s talent seems to be a difficult one to pass up on and is fit to the needs Ayo and the FiberXers are looking to fill.

If not, the stage could go to Barefield, the 6-foot-2 guard whose talent can also be key for the FiberXers.

Blackwater has a strong chance to land Barefield if Converge goes with Baltazar, with coach Jeffrey Cariaso describing him as a “game changer.”

Whatever decision either or both teams make assures Barangay Ginebra of adding another impressive talent after securing the third overall pick in a trade with Terrafirma on the eve of the draft.

Insiders say that former Asean Basketball League standout and one-time import in Taiwan’s T1 League Caelan Tiongson is a candidate to be Ginebra’s choice.

No. 4 Phoenix and fifth overall NorthPort, followed by NLEX, Rain or Shine (with the No. 7 and No. 8), Magnolia, Terrafirma, Meralco and San Miguel Beer could also land good talent in the first round, perhaps indicative of how deep a pool this year’s draft class is.“One month before the deadline [for draft application], we thought that it would be a boring draft,” Ayo said. “But it became interesting because of the players that came in.”Aside from the top pick, Ayo will also look to capitalize on the number of options it has in the second and third rounds, with Converge having the 19th, 24th and 25th picks.

“There are players who are hardly-noticed during their college years, then will suddenly show some improvements upon turning pro, so we really can’t tell,” said Ayo when asked of their other picks.