With his departure from his Japanese club and involvement of his long-time patron with a Philippine Basketball Association squad, speculations are pregnant that Justine Baltazar is finally headed home to join the country’s local professional league.
Converge governor Atty. Chito Salud told Daily Tribune that they are interested to know Baltazar’s future plans now that he is already free from his commitment to the Japanese B. League.
Baltazar was supposed to join the PBA last year and was tipped to emerge as the top overall pick when he made a last-minute decision to withdraw to entertain an offer in Japan.
The former league commissioner admitted that should the former De La Salle University star finally decided to throw his name in the coming Annual Rookie Draft, they will definitely make a move to land him to reunite him with his college coach — Aldin Ayo – and give the FiberXers’ run and gun attack an extra boost.
Aside from Ayo, other former La Salle stars who are currently playing for Converge are Aljun Melecio, and Abu Tratter.
“Justine is definitely going to be in the top three if ever he joins the PBA draft,” Salud said in a telephone conversation.
“But if opportunity presents itself, then we’ll make a move to get his services.”
But one good reason for the FiberXers to chase Baltazar is to reunite him with Pineda – the two-term Pampanga governor who took him under his wings until he became one of the country’s best big men in the amateur ranks.
Known by his nickname “Delta,” Pineda was recently tapped as Converge team manager due to his friendship with team owner Dennis Anthony Uy.
But Pineda is no stranger to basketball.
In fact, he is the godfather of Pampanga’s basketball program, producing countless quality players like Arwind Santos, Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, Jayson Castro, Larry Muyang and Encho Serrano.
He was also the man behind San Sebastian College’s title conquest in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2009 in which it brought down the mighty San Beda College in a dramatic finals duel.
Now, he is bringing his managerial skills to the PBA and it wouldn’t be a surprise if one of his products in Baltazar joins the FiberXers.
Salud said the future looks bright with the inclusion of Pineda and the youthful former La Salle and Ateneo de Manila University cager Franzl Jacob Lao, who is joining them as assistant team manager.
They will formally assume their roles starting the Governors’ Cup in January.
“We finished fourth in the elimination round and we’re pleased with the progress of the squad, we felt that we really need to make it to the top four – and hopefully – crack the finals,” Salud said, adding that their performance in the Commissioner’s Cup in which they racked up seven straight wins before getting the boot in the quarterfinals inspired them to work harder.
“That’s where we can value success, make it to the top four and continuously build up to take us to the next level.”
Salud added that Uy is doing everything to come up with a squad that can match the firepower of league heavyweights like Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, San Miguel Beer, Magnolia and TNT Tropang Giga.
“There’s a continuous effort in taking the team to the next level and our team owner wants that,” Salud added.
