By REYNALD MAGALLON
Head coach Aldin Ayo simply feels like Justine Baltazar was exactly what the doctor ordered for Converge.
The amiable mentor had earlier shared that the FiberXers are looking for size, versatility and offensive firepower to help their campaign – all of which Ayo believed their prized first overall pick in the 2024 rookie draft already possesses.
“Iyon ang sabi ko sa inyo, naghahanap kami ng big man na versatile, lahat ng binanggit ko sa interview andito kay Balti. Big man, skilled, andito lahat,” said Ayo after the proceedings on Sunday, July 14 at the Glorietta Activity Center.
It was also a bonus according to Ayo, that he has known the 6-foot-7 forward since his early years in the collegiate ranks, having coached him for a few years back in La Salle.
Baltazar was also a proven winner, having won a title with the Green Archers as well as with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
“Aside from the talent and skills that he has, I know him personally. We know that he’s a winner. We know that he’s going to do whatever it takes to help our team,” added Ayo.
All the qualities that Ayo mentioned was also the reason why he believes that Baltazar was tailored fit for his system with the FiberXers.
With Baltazar, who’s been proven versatile enough to play at the center and slide to the power forward or even small forward spots, Converge lineups can be very flexible.
“Justin can play the four spot. Balti, both of them. Si Balti makakapaglaro ng kwatro e. At pag may dumating pa na big man, or may import, might slide him to the 3 spot. Ganun ka-versatile,” Ayo pointed out.
The biggest question however for Baltazar is how he would fare against taller and more experienced big men in the PBA, particularly the likes of Christian Standhardinger, June Mar Fajardo and Japeth Aguilar.
But Ayo is confident that Baltazar can hold his own.
“He has the skills, the talent pero more than that, yung ugali. He’s gonna do more. He’ll find a way kasi if you’re going to compare Balti to June Mar, Standhardinger and sila Japeth, mas malalaki yun kay Balti and probably
more experienced, mga beterano,” said Ayo.
“Pero dun papasok yung character, yung grit na he’ll find a way to compete and he’ll find a way to win,” he added.
