ESPN
Jul 14, 2024, 08:00 AM ET
Converge FiberXers hardly raised any eyebrows on Sunday when they took Justine Baltazar with the top pick of the PBA Season 49 draft.
The 6-foot-7 Baltazar, who previously starred for the De La Salle Green Archers, was -- as widely expected -- the first named called out at the Ayala Malls Glorietta 4 Activity Center in Makati, before being followed by Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater Bossing) and RJ Abarrientos (Barangay Ginebra).
Baltazar's arrival in the PBA comes two years later than expected, after he was initially tipped to go high in his original draft class of 2022 before withdrawing to accept an offer from Japanese B.League outfit Hiroshima Dragonflies.
The 27-year-old, a UAAP champion in 2016 and a three-time Mythical Team selection, subsequently returned home and represented hometown team Pampanga Giant Lanterns --most recently in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
Baltazar can be expected to have an instant impact alongside fellow big man Justin Arana, in a relatively youthful team that will be looking to bounce back from a trying season that saw them win just three games across two conferences.
With the second pick, Blackwater also did not cause any shocks in selecting Filipino-American guard Barefield, especially considering their need for an offensive go-to after trading Rey Nambatac to TNT Tropang Giga.
Nonetheless, the first notable surprise came soon after Ginebra picking Abarrientos, who had been slated to go at No. 5 in ESPN's mock draft.
The selection steeped in nostalgia with Ginebra coach Tim Cone admitting that he hoped the third-generation Abarrientos would be as good as his uncle Johnny, who won eight championships and even picked up a Most Valuable Player award under the legendary mentor at the now-defunct Alaska Aces.
Justine Baltazar is the #PBASeason49 No.1️⃣ Draft Pick by the Converge FiberXers#PBASeason49Draft pic.twitter.com/RpAwPEwDg4
— PBA (@pbaconnect) July 14, 2024
It was also another sign of the Gin Kings' apparent desire to add more youth to their lineup, given they had obtained the third pick -- along with Stephen Holt and and Isaac Go -- in a trade of four former No. 1 selections that long-time Ginebra stalwarts Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle move to Terrafirma Dyip.
Kai Ballungay (Phoenix Fuel Masters) and Dave Ildefonso (NorthPort Batang Pier) rounded out the top five, before Jonnel Policarpio (NLEX Road Warriors), Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti (both Rain or Shine Elasto Painters), Jerom Lastimosa (Magnolia Hotshots), Mark Nonoy (Terrafirma), CJ Cansino (Meralco Bolts) and Avan Nava (San Miguel Beermen) finished off the first round.
In what was regarded as a relatively deep class, 48 prospects were drafted in total.
PBA SEASON 49 DRAFT
First round
1. Justine Baltazar (Converge FiberXers)
2. Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater Bossing)
3. RJ Abarrientos (Barangay Ginebra)
4. Kai Ballungay (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
5. Dave Ildefonso (NorthPort Batang Pier)
6. Jonnel Policarpio (NLEX Road Warriors)
7. Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
8. Felix Lemetti (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
9. Jerom Lastimosa (Magnolia Hotshots)
10. Mark Nonoy (Terrafirma Dyip)
11. CJ Cansino (Meralco Bolts)
12. Avan Nava (San Miguel Beermen)
Second round
13. Francis Escandor (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
14. Evan Nelle (NorthPort Batang Pier)
15. CJ Catapusan (Terrafirma Dyip)
16. Michael Malonzo (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
17. Ahmad Hanapi (Barangay Ginebra)
18. Brandon Ramirez (NLEX Road Warriors)
19. Pao Javillonar (Converge FiberXers)
20. Miguel Corteza (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
21. Ben Phillips (Converge FiberXers)
22. Paolo Hernandez (Barangay Ginebra)
23. Kurt Reyson (Meralco Bolts)
24. Jason Credo (Converge FiberXers)
Third round
25. Ronan Santos (Converge FiberXers)
26. Derohn Mitchell (Blackwater Bossing)
27. Peter Alfaro (Terrafirma Dyip)
28. Calvin Payawal (Phoenx Fuel Masters)
29. Agem Miranda (NorthPort Batang Pier)
30. Xyrus Torres (NLEX Road Warriors)
31. Jared Brown (TNT Tropang Giga)
32. Darwish Bederi (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
33. RV Berjay (Magnolia Hotshots)
34. Paul Garcia (Barangay Ginebra)
35. JP Maguliano (Meralco Bolts)
36. Abdul Sawat (San Miguel Beermen)
Fourth round
37. PASS (Converge FiberXers)
38. Keith Pido (Blackwater Bossing)
39. PASS (Terrafirma Dyip)
40. Chino Mosqueda (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
41. JL Uduba (NorthPort Batang Pier)
42. Denzel Wong (NLEX Road Warriors)
43. Mark Cruz (TNT Tropang Giga)
44. PASS (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
45. Ry Dela Rosa (Magnolia Hotshots)
46. PASS (Barangay Ginebra)
47. Jordan Bartlett (Meralco Bolts)
48. Ralph Robin (San Miguel Beermen)
Fifth round
49. PASS (Converge FiberXers)
50. PASS (Blackwater Bossing)
51. PASS (Terrafirma Dyip)
52. Patrick Feliciano (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
53. Germy Mahinay (NorthPort Batang Pier)
54. Adrian Partosa (NLEX Road Warriors)
55. PASS (TNT Tropang Giga)
56. PASS (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
57. PASS (Magnolia Hotshots)
58. PASS (Barangay Ginebra)
59. PASS (Meralco Bolts)
60. PASS (San Miguel Beermen)
Sixth round
61. PASS (Converge FiberXers)
62. PASS (Blackwater Bossing)
63. PASS (Terrafirma Dyip)
64. PASS (Phoenix Fuel Masters)
65. Robbie Darang (NorthPort Batang Pier)
66. PASS (NLEX Road Warriors)
67. PASS (TNT Tropang Giga)
68. PASS (Rain or Shine Elasto Painters)
69. PASS (Magnolia Hotshots)
70. PASS (Barangay Ginebra)
71. PASS (Meralco Bolts)
72. PASS (San Miguel Beermen)
