PBA top pick Justine Baltazar relishes reunion with Aldin Ayo at Converge

Seven years since their UAAP run with De La Salle University, Justine Baltazar and Aldin Ayo will once again share the court, this time at the country's biggest basketball stage. 

Ayo, who now calls the shots for Converge in the PBA, has selected the 6-foot-9 giant as the top overall pick during the recent Season 49 Rookie Draft on Sunday and, immediately, Baltazar beamed with excitement for his long-awaited reunion with his former mentor.

"Sobrang happy ako kasi nakasama ko na si Coach Aldin sa UAAP and then nakapag-champion kami na isa," the 27-year-old Baltazar said just moments after his name got called first in the annual rookie ceremonies. 

"Alam ko na 'yung mga sistema ni coach Aldin so excited na naman ako na makasama siya ulit."

Baltazar and Ayo led the Green Archers to UAAP Season 79 title when the Taft crew swept arch rival Ateneo de Manila University in the finals. Back then, Baltazar formed a deadly one-two punch with import Ben Mbala as they trounced an Ateneo side that featured Thirdy Ravena, Aaron Black, and Mike Nieto. 

They went on spending another year together in Season 80, but the Green Archers fell to the same squad in the championship round before Ayo decided to jump ship to UST. 

Baltazar, meanwhile, made a name in various leagues such as the MPBL while also having a brief stint in Japan B. League with the Hiroshima Dragonflies. He then led Pampanga to the 2023 MPBL title all while bagging both the Finals and tournament MVP awards. 

He is now set to bring all that to Converge, which is looking to end a gloomy campaign in the past conferences. 

"'Yun nga ang sabi ko sa inyo, naghahanap kami ng big man na versatile, lahat ng binanggit ko sa interview andito kay Balti. Big man, skilled, andito lahat and aside from the talent and skills that he has, I know him personally," Ayo shared.

"We know that he’s a winner. We know that he’s going to do whatever it takes to help our team. "

Baltazar's arrival meant that Converge got bigger as he is tipped to form a tall front court duo with Justin Arana.

With Baltazar in his rotation, Ayo said Converge may finally emerge as legit playoff contender. 

"Of course. Everybody wants na makarating sa playoffs and pagdating sa playoffs, titignan na lang natin kung anong puwedeng magawa."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News