Justine Baltazar (No. 19) finishes with a career-high 20 factors that went with 10 rebounds for the FiberXers. —PBA IMAGES
Justine Baltazar’s efficiency that propelled Converge nearer to a twice-to-beat benefit within the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup looks as if a transparent indication of him getting previous the adjustment stage within the huge league.
“I’m now 100-percent comfy with my group,” Baltazar mentioned in Filipino on Sunday after posting a career-high 20 factors on prime of 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks within the FiberXers’ 127-109 rout of the Blackwater Bossing at Ynares Middle right here in Antipolo Metropolis.
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Now Baltazar, snagged as the primary total choose within the final Draft however who joined the group late due to commitments in one other league, is about for his largest take a look at but by dealing with one in every of his idols in June Mar Fajardo as Converge seeks to finish the eliminations on a excessive towards San Miguel Beer.
Successful that match will safe the much-needed quarters bonus.
Converge improved to 8-3 to maneuver as much as second spot within the desk, however issues over the harm of its different younger huge in Justin Arana was instantly downplayed by the participant itself and coach Franco Atienza.
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Arana left late within the third interval whereas being helped by assistant coaches Danny Ildefonso and Willie Miller for what the third-year mainstay mentioned was a hyperextended left knee after going for a layup.
Arana unsure
His standing for the matchup with the Beermen on Friday on this metropolis might be recognized within the following days, and which may imply the necessity for Baltazar to double his efforts towards the Beermen, who’re struggling within the standings at 4-5 after a 100-93 loss to the Meralco Bolts in Candon, Ilocos Sur final Saturday.
However Converge is glad to see Baltazar acquire regular progress since his highly-anticipated PBA debut a month in the past, which he hopes to proceed towards Fajardo.
“Everyone knows how dominant he’s beneath,” Baltazar mentioned. “However we’ll guarantee that we’re ready and prepared.”
Fellow rookie Jordan Heading added 22 factors with three rebounds and 5 assists, import Cheick Diallo put up 20 factors and 18 rebounds and Alec Stockton posted 19 factors and 7 assists in placing the FiberXers forward of different twice-to-beat hopefuls the Bolts, NorthPort Batang Pier and visitor group Hong Kong Japanese, who all have 7-3 playing cards.
Main the race
TNT continues to be above the leaderboard at 6-2 attributable to the next profitable share than the groups talked about.
Blackwater fell to 2-8, all however assured of lacking the quarterfinals except it wins its final two video games and sees the likes of San Miguel, Magnolia, NLEX and Phoenix endure beautiful slip-ups.
NLEX, which had misplaced 5 straight, and Phoenix have been dealing with at press time, with each coming into the essential tiff tied at 3-6.
Import George King completed with 34 factors spiked by 4 quadruples, 13 rebounds and 6 assists for the Bossing. INQ
