CONVERGE head coach Aldin Ayo said he doesn’t mind if Justine Baltazar will still finish his contract with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL before joining the FiberXers in the PBA.
The important thing is that Baltazar is already part of the FiberXers.
“They have to win first,” said Ayo on Baltazar, who is still under contract with Pampanga. “Kami naman, we are going to be patient. Kung ano ang desisyon ni Gov. Delta [Pineda], Boss Jacob (Lao), Gov. Archen (Cayabyab), susundin namin.”
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“But we are excited na nandito na sa amin si Balti. Kung kailan darating, kung kailan maglalaro, aantayin namin,” said Ayo.
For Ayo, it will be worth the wait considering the 6-foot-8 Baltazar's versatility and ability to play multiple positions.
Ayo said he already has plans to Baltazar sharing court time with Converge big man Justin Arana, allowing the FiberXers to form their own ‘Twin Towers.’
The former UAAP and NCAA champion coach is even planning to slide Baltazar to the small forward position come the import conferences where his ability to be a ball carrier and as a perimeter shooter could be useful for Converge.
“Si Balti makakapaglaro ng kwatro (power forward). Kung may dumating na big man or kapag may import, I might slide him to the three-spot. Ganun ka-versatile, do-it-all,” said Ayo.
The latest Baltazar could join Converge would be in December where the MPBL’s sixth season ends. The Giant Lanterns are looking to win their second straight title, with Baltazar also making a bid for back-to-back MVPs.
Ayo said Baltazar may not have the experience yet like the PBA’s resident bigs in June Mar Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger, and Japeth Aguilar, but the 27-year-old has the work ethic to improve on his game in order to compete against them.
“He has the skills, he has the talent. Pero more than that, ‘yung ugali. He is going to do more. He’ll find a way," Ayo said.
"Kung titignan natin, if we are going to compare Balti to June Mar, Standhardinger, and sila Japeth, mas malalaki ‘yun kay Balti and probably more experienced," he added. “Pero doon na papasok ‘yung character at ‘yung parati naming ginagamit na grit na he will find a way to compete. He will find a way to win."
Converge eyes playoffs
Ayo is hoping that with Baltazar already in the roster, Converge will enter the playoffs this season. After reaching the quarterfinals during their first three conferences in the league, the FiberXers missed the playoffs during the last two, accumulating a 3-19 win-loss mark.
“Everybody wants na makarating sa playoffs. Pagdating sa playoffs, titignan na lang natin kung ano pa ang puwede magawa,” said Ayo.
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