TALK about timing.
Two years after pulling out of the PBA draft, Justine Baltazar on Sunday took the stage as the top selection in Season 49 edition of the annual rookie draft exercise at the Ayala Malls Glorietta 4 Activity Center in Makati.
The 6-foot-7 player from La Salle flashed a good smile before rising from his seat then making his way to the platform to cheers from the spectators after his name was called by Converge governor Archen Cayabyab as their choice as the No. 1 overall pick.
Back in 2022, he should have been in the Draft Class where Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (Blackwater), Jeremiah Gray (Terrafirma) and Jeo Ambohot (Converge) were the top three picks.
At 27, Baltazar became the first homegrown player in a long while drafted No. 1 overall, and he's joining a relatively young team he's to lead with fellow big man Justin Arana.
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"Sobrang excited ako," said the Mabalacat, Pampanga native of joining Converge and on his coming team-up with Arana.
"Ibibigay ko ang role ko as big man. Last year, parang kulang sila sa big, mukhang magiging maganda ang tandem namin (with Arana)," Baltazar also said.
Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra went for backcourt players at No. 2 and No. 3, followed by a merry mix, including surprises from Rain or Shine at Nos. 7 and 8.
To many, it's a good harvest for the PBA ball clubs, at least in the first round.
Six-foot-2 Fil-Am guard Sedrick Barefield went to the Bossing camp at No. 2 then third-generation pro player RJ Abarrientos went to Ginebra at No. 3.
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Curiously, RJ became PBA No. 3 draft selection three decades after uncle Johnny was also picked third overall by the Alaska Milkmen.
"I'm grateful to the Lord for another blessing to the family," said Johnny who took the stage for RJ with the latter currently with the Strong Group team competing in the Jones Cup in Taipei.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone said they were actually looking for a forward, but couldn't pass up "on a bloodline of the Abarrientos."
RJ is a third generation Abarrientos player after Billy in the 70s and uncle Johnny in the 90s to 2000s.
Phoenix plucked a big man in Kai Ballungay at No. 4, NorthPort took in a second-generation player in Dave Ildefonso at No. 5 then NLEX likewise chose a big in Jonnel Policarpio.
Rain or Shine added ceiling in its lineup with 6-foot-5 Caelan Tiongson at No. 7 then created a stir with its selection of little known Sweden-born Felix Lenetti.
Rounding out the first round were Jerome Lastimosa for Magnolia, Mark Nonoy for Terrafirma, CJ Cansino for Meralco and Adam Nava for San Miguel Beer. (SB)
