Converge big man Justine Baltazar joined the Gilas Pilipinas pool for the second window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone had plenty of good words for Justine Baltazar just nearly a week since training camp for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers kicked off.
With Kai Sotto out and Quentin Millora-Brown’s availability initially in question, Cone added the Converge big man to the pool for the second window of the qualifiers, where Gilas carries a 2-0 slate.
In an interview on Power & Play with former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala, Cone said Baltazar is tailor-fit for Gilas.
“He has great size, he has great talent, he has great versatility. I mean that is exactly what we're looking for in the national team, is that ability to be a player that can do various things,” coach Tim said of the former no. 1 pick.
“He can step out, he can step in, he can take on a mismatch, he can block shots around the basket, he's a dynamic rebounder. He just has a lot of versatility, so that's what we're looking for,” Cone added of Baltazar.
While Balti is supremely talented, the adjustment period is key as the Converge ace returns to Gilas for the first time in years.
As with any other player who gets to experience the system of Cone, the 29-year-old Baltazar is still in the process of getting a full grasp of things with Gilas.
“The only thing he lacks, just like with Juan (Gomez de Liaño) in our last window, the only thing he lacks is really the knowledge of, you know, the depth of knowledge that he has in terms of our system,” Cone said referring to Gomez de Liaño, Baltazar’s Converge teammate who joined the Gilas pool in the first window but did not play.
“And I say this, you know, offensively, but even more so defensively, it's just, you know, that's his only weakness point.”
Once Baltazar gets the Gilas system down, there’s no doubt in Cone’s mind that he would be an “extremely important” member of the national team.
“So once he gets that idea, you know, he's going to be an extremely important piece. But this is a great training ground for him right now, this window and going forward,” coach Tim said.
“It's just, it's awesome and he's been playing well and he's excited, you can see it the way he practices.”
Cone added: “He's not afraid; he goes up against everybody, he's not afraid to guard Justin (Brownlee), he's not afraid to go up against June Mar (Fajardo) or AJ (Edu), you know. He's his own man, he's really impressive.”
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.