TWO generations of Kapampangan players are joining forces at Converge with Justine Baltazar teaming up with Calvin Abueva when the FiberXers make their debut in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Baltazar appears to be excited at the prospect of having Abueva on the team whom he and the rest of the squad may look up to as an inspiration and a mentor. Baltazar, known as Balti to friends and teammates, is representing the new generation of players from Pampanga while Abueva belongs to an earlier batch.
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The two players, however, have one thing in common: both were discovered and developed by Pampanga vice-governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, who is now the head coach of the FiberXers.
Balti said the arrival of Abueva is very timely with the young Converge team needing a veteran presence after a Philippine Cup campaign that saw the team battle Barangay Ginebra in a thrilling quarterfinals which they eventually lost in seven games.
“May mag-ga-guide sa amin, lalo na Kampampanga si Kuya Calvin. So malaking tulong talaga sa team namin lalo na sa mga baguhan," Balti said mentioning MJ (Garcia) and Archie Concepcion as young players who can learn new tricks from the veteran Abueva.
“Kumbaga sila ‘yung unang generation, mga unang players nila boss (Pineda), ‘yung samahan nila. Guide naman sa aming mga bata,” said Baltazar.
Abueva is in line to make his Converge debut against the Macau Black Knights at 7:30 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
His minutes for that opening match remains to be seen as he was seldom-used during the FiberXers’ tune-up games in the lead-up to the Commissioner’s Cup. Abueva also sat out Sunday’s PBA All-Star Game in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
His presence is expected to fire up the FiberXers as he is known to bring a lot energy each time he plays, during competition and even in practice.
Baltazar witnessed this first hand when on the first day of practice, the 38-year-old Abueva showed his teammates the kind of game they will expect from him.
“First day of practice, nag-pakitang gilas siya. Parang hindi nga 38 eh. Nakipag-sabayan talaga. Iba talaga siya sa court. Hindi namin inexpect na ganun na makikipagpatayan talaga,” said Baltazar.
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