Justine Baltazar pushes the Converge FiberXers closer to a quarterfinal incentive in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
If there were doubts on Justine Baltazar being the no. 1 overall pick in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft last July, he has probably quashed that by now.
Baltazar continued his fine play in the Commissioner's Cup where he debuted, none more evident in his performance in Converge’s 127-109 win over Blackwater Sunday, Jan. 19.
The agile big churned out a career-high 20 points, including 11 in the second half of action at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
He added 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks for the FiberXers, who remained in the hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive.
Converge now holds an 8-3 record while the Bossing fell to 2-8.
“Nagamit ako lalo kasi si Justin Arana [na-injure]. Sana OK lang siya,” said Balti, whose teammate Arana appeared to have hyperextended his left knee late in the third period.
“Pero binigyan pa rin ako ng chance para makalaro. Ibinigay ko lang ang best ko.”
Justine Baltazar goes for the basket in the Converge FiberXers' match against the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Sunday, Jan. 19. | Photo (c) PBA Images
It was FiberXers rookie Jordan Heading who spearheaded the team’s assault in the final canto to quell the surging Blackwater, who instigated an 18-8 rally in the third.
Heading fired 12 of his 22 points in the payoff period to help turn the game into a breakaway.
Aside from putting up a high-octane offense, Converge also played tremendously on the other end of the court, with Schonny Winston getting a defensive stop that led to a Baltazar easy two for a 120-100 lead with only four minutes left to play.
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Reinforcement George King paced the reeling Bossing with 34 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Jaydee Tungcab also had a field day with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and five steals, but hardly made a dent in the last two quarters.
Justin Chua and Christian David added 16 and 14 points, respectively.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 127 – Heading 22, Baltazar 20, Diallo 20, Stockton 19, Delos Santos 10, Winston 10, Santos 8, Nieto 8, Arana 7, Racal 3, Caralipio 0, Andrade 0.
BLACKWATER 109 – King 34, Tungcab 20, Chua 16, David 14, Kwekuteye 10, Casio 6, Corteza 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Ayonayon 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 33-26, 70-56, 97-88, 127-109