PBA players focus on ironing out flaws during break

Converge big man Justine Baltazar.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Holy Week may be a time of reflection and abstinence to some but for PBA players Justine Baltazar, Bong Quinto and Ricci Rivero, improvement is the number one focus.

Fresh off a dominant win over Blackwater, FiberXers rookie Baltazar bared that for the Holy Week break, he will be putting a premium in improving his game and avoiding complacency.

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“I still can’t relax this week. We still need to work because we’re looking for those wins,” said Baltazar last week.

“We can’t be complacent even if we’re in our respective provinces. We still have training but it’s only via Viber.”

Baltazar spent his time in Pampanga with his family during the Holy Week while also doing some personal work.

In Converge’s last win before the break, the 2024 first overall pick tallied a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“I still have to work because I still have a lot of lapses. I need to help the team so I need to be ready,” said the La Salle product.

READ: PBA players, coaches spend Holy Week in prayer and reflection

Meralco star Quinto and Phoenix young gun Rivero, meanwhile, don’t necessarily celebrate Holy Week with their Christian beliefs so being hard at work will come naturally for both swingmen.

Quinto, though, will do it with respect in mind for the Catholics who do celebrate the yearly tradition.

“In our church, we don’t celebrate Holy Week as Christians because for us, Jesus is already alive but for us, as a sign of respect, we let them celebrate how Catholics celebrate,” said Quinto in Filipino.

“I look forward to the next games but this week I’ll be focused on preparation. I’ll be resting a bit and reflect on the situation of the team. Even if we’re on a break, we should still be focused,” he added.

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The same goes for Rivero, who now has a different belief as a Christian.

For Rivero, though, he will be training much like his peers all while “honoring God,” in the process.

“Before, we did church visits but since we converted as Christians, we only do it sometimes but for me, as long as it’s honoring God, we do it,” explained Rivero.

“We’ll still have training to avoid that rust. We’ll have a break but it won’t be for the whole week.”