JUSTINE Baltazar's overriding desire to win in Game One of the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup can be summed up in one highlight play.
At the 3:59 mark, Baltazar put the finishing touches to the Converge win by pulling off a dunk over Beau Belga. That slam, assisted by Converge import Cheick Diallo, capped an 18-4 run that turned a 104-104 deadlock into a 122-108 lead.
“Ganda ng pasa sa akin, sinalpak ko lang talaga. Hindi ko rin inasahan na sasabay din si Kuya Belga eh. Buti pumasok naman ‘yung tira,” said Baltazar.
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Baltazar said the dunk was a product of his intensity in his firsr playoff game as Converge was determined to win the game over Rain or Shine and take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The Season 49 No. 1 pick said the FiberXers were so focused on their preparations for Game One.
“Gusto talaga naming manalo. Pinaghandaan talaga namin ‘yung Rain or Shine. First half, tambak kami. Pero nung second half, pinagtrabahuan ng mga coaches namin. Ginawa talaga namin ‘yung kung ano ‘ynug sistema namin. Sumunod lang kami sa sistema,” said Baltazar.
“Sobrang saya kasi unang pasok ko sa PBA, nakapasok ako ng quarterfinals. Hindi rin namin makukuha ‘yun kung hindi nagtulong-tulong ‘yung mga teammates at coaches. Talagang gusto naming manalo at wala kaming iniisip na ibang team. Talagang focus namin ngayon Rain or Shine."
The former La Salle big man embellished his first PBA playoff game with 13 points and six rebounds.
But Baltazar said the series is far from over.
“Huwag kami masyado makampante. Focus pa rin kami dito sa Friday game. Bukas, trabaho pa rin kami. Walang pahinga. Tatrabahuin pa rin namin ‘yung Rain or Shine. Hindi kami puwedeng mag-relax dito, said Baltazar.
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