BALTI BANNERS '24 DRAFT CLASS

Make way for Converge’s new twin tower of Justin Arana and freshman Justine Baltazar.

- OLMIN LEYBA

The FiberXers made Baltazar the top pick in yesterday’s PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft in a move that didn’t come as a surprise to many.

Standing above 6-foot-6, Baltazar plugged Converge’s hole in the middle as he’s set to form a deadly combo with Arana, the Season 47 Rookie of the Year who carried the bulk of frontline duties the past season.

“Sobrang saya ko na maka-teammate si Justin kasi nakalaban ko na lang siya dati sa UST nung college. So ‘yun, excited ako makasama siya para makatulong din ako kasi last year talaga wala siyang katulong, eh; kulang sila sa big man,” Baltazar said after taking the stage ahead of everyone.

The two-way big man fondly called “Balti” would feel right at home with his PBA club with a familiar face at the helm – coach Aldin Ayo.

“Two years ko nakasama si coach Aldin sa UAAP and then