‘Balti’ feeling his way around

Justine Baltazar swears his unfamiliarity with his new team and his being exhausted after his championship run in the country’s other professional league are reasons why the touted Converge rookie had an average stint in his first game in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

“I just practiced for two days with the team so I am still feeling my way around,” the 6-feet-7 Baltazar said following the FiberXers’ 108-101 loss to Commissioner’s Cup-leading NorthPort.

Baltazar, fresh from powering Pampanga to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League crown last week, could only come up with five points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal in his 21-minute showing.

The Pampanga native has to whip himself into form quick since Converge has a busy schedule this coming week at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Converge battles NLEX on 17 December, Phoenix on 19 December and Barangay Ginebra on 21 December in Batangas City.

This year’s top pick in the PBA Rookie Draft will be up against veteran big men such as Japeth Aguilar, Maverick Ahanmisi and Troy Rosario.

For now, Baltazar will just stay ready as he hopes to learn from FiberXers big men Justin Arana and Bryan Santos from the sidelines.

“Coach Charles Tiu always told me to just stay ready since I would be used sparingly because we have other big men here,” Baltazar said.

“There still a lot of things I’m lacking since I just have been with them for a short time. We need to be more familiar with one another and it starts in practice.”