By REYNALD MAGALLON
Contrary to popular belief, Justine Baltazar isn’t a lock yet for the No. 1 overall pick.
At least, for Converge head coach Aldin Ayo.
While all signs point toward the 6-foot-7 Kapampangan topping this year’s draft class – and could still very well hear his name be called first in the July 14 proceedings, Ayo admitted that they still have three to four players looking at before finally making a decision.
Ayo, who was one of the curious spectators sitting at the bleachers of the Ynares Sports Arena during the Day 1 of the Season 49 PBA Draft Combine, said that he has yet to talk to the FiberXers management regarding the team’s decision.
“Nagde-decision pa kami. Pinaguusapan namin nila Boss Jacob,” said Ayo on Wednesday, July 10.
“Nasa radar namin, three to four players sa first round namin, pwede naming pag-isipan,” he added.
While it is widely expected Converge to pick Baltazar, Ayo said that the late addition of some highly touted prospects from Filipino overseas imports to some of the best collegiate standouts made the draft all the more interesting.
“One month before the deadline, akala natin boring yung drafting. After a week, last week, all of a sudden everything became interesting because of yung mga humabol na magagaling na players,” said Ayo, referring to guys like Sedrick Barefield, Dave Ildefonso, RJ Abarrientos, Jonnel Policarpio and Kai Ballungay all throwing their names in for this year’s draft.
Whatever decision Converge might come up with, Ayo stressed that it would be for the improvement of the team especially in the areas that they were severely lacking particularly last season where they finished dead last in the Commissioner’s Cup and Philippine Cup.
Ayo said the FiberXers are currently lacking firepower, size, and defense.
“We’re 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,” he explained.
“And at the same time, firepower. Kulang din kami sa offense. Kung sino man yun, yun ang dedesisyunan ng management and ng coaching staff,” he furthered.
Despite the rough performance last season, it seemed like Converge had found a core to work with, especially with the emergence of Justin Arana and Alec Stockton, as well as the potential from Deschon Winston, Bryan Santos and Mike Nieto.
