JUSTINE Baltazar finally broke out, scoring-wise, on Christmas Day no less in Converge’s win over Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Baltazar shot 6-for-9 from the field on his way to finishing with 16 points in his fifth game in the PBA.
In his first four games with the FiberXers, Baltazar combined for only 33 percent (9-for-27) from the field.
The Pampanga-native attributed his performance on Wednesday to the work he has put in the past few days with Converge assistant coach Danny Ildefonso as he starts to gain confidence and acclimatizing himself with his new team after playing for Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL.
READ: Justine Baltazar looking forward to learning from Danny Ildefonso
“Tumatagal na ako sa team, tapos sa practice, ilang game akong pangit ‘yung nilalaro ko. Trabaho pa rin ako. Shooting shooting ako. Then, malaking bagay din ‘yung tinuturo sa akin ni coach Danny. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa kanya,” Baltazar said.
Baltazar said Ildefonso hasn’t stopped in reminding him of the trust that the coaching staff has in him.
“Sabi niya, tiwala ang mga coaches (sa akin). Lagi ako nagagamit sa loob. Kailangan kong paghirapan sa training, pagtrabahin ‘yung shooting ko, ‘yung post ko para maapply ko sa game."
The 49th Season No. 1 pick had eight of his scoring output in the second quarter where the FiberXers built a 58-41 halftime lead, a gap they maintained until the final buzzer.
Baltazar also played inspired ball as four of his siblings watched the game from courtside of the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“Kasama ko mga kapatid ko, dito namin na-celebrate sa Manila,” said Baltazar, the youngest among six children. “Sabay sabay kami. ‘Yun ‘yung masaya. Tapos nanood pa sila kaya confident. Madalang lang kami magsama sama.”
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