Projected No.1 pick of the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft Justine Baltazar. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA — The 2024 PBA Rookie Draft will feature one of the deepest talent pools in recent history.

This year's batch of hopefuls include the country's best young basketball stars -- some coming straight from college, some from the semi-pro ranks, and others returning from overseas.

Among those set to shake up the league is Pampanga Giant Lanterns big man Justine Baltazar, as the 6-foot-7 Kapampangan tower finally joined — and stayed — in the PBA's annual proceedings.

His roots from his hometown have linked him to the Converge FiberXers as Pampanga Governor Dennis 'Delta' Pineda is one of the purple squad's consultants, but will head coach Aldin Ayo make the selection official?

"Nagde-decision pa kami. Pinaguusapan namin nila Boss Jacob [Lao]," he said during the Draft Combine earlier this week, while also sharing what they are looking for in their prospect.

"Probably we are gonna look for a player who is versatile enough to produce yung kulang namin sa especially sa depensa. Butas namin talaga, ceiling. Kulang kami sa malaki, and at the same time, firepower. Kulang din kami sa offense. Kung sino man iyon, yun ang dedesisyunan ng management and ng coaching staff."

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-- Not a one-man draft -- 

Adding to Converge's dilemma is the rich-in-talent batch that the 2024 edition of the Rookie Draft boasts.

Aside from Baltazar, also part of the draft pool are: Filipino-American aces Sedrick Barefield and Caelan Tiongson, overseas returnees RJ Abarrientos and Dave Ildefonso, collegiate stars Kai Ballungay, Jonnel Policarpio, Evan Nelle, CJ Cansino, Jerom Lastimosa, and Mark Nonoy, as well as the likes of Ben Phillips, Pao Javillonar, Kurt Reyson, Jared Brown, Xyrus Torres, JM Credo, CJ Mitchell, Miggy Corteza, and JP Maguliano.

According to Ayo, the surplus of talent available has affected Converge's decision-making as they are set to have four picks in the first two rounds.

Converge FiberXers head coach Aldin Ayo. Photo from PBA Images.

"One month before the deadline, akala natin boring yung drafting. After a week, last week, all of a sudden everything became interesting because of yung mga humabol na magagaling na players," said Ayo.

"Akala nga namin hindi malalim e. Pero dumating yung sila Barefield, sila Poli, yung mga expected. Biglang naging malalim yung pool."

"Mahirap kasi mapapaisip ka e. May mga players na nasa pool na not every year sasali, or not every batch may mga ganung players. May mga players dito na pwede mong gawing foundation o haligi ng program e. May mga players dito na five to seven years, magiging competitive yung program mo as long as you play them."

Even with the choices ahead of them, Converge has already trimmed down their list of prospects to four names, according to Ayo.

"Nasa radar namin, three to four players na sa first round yung pwede naming pag-isipan," said the former Letran coach.

After Converge, Blackwater Bossing will have the chance to improve their roster and answer the departure of their lead guard Rey Nambatac who was dealt to the TNT Tropang Giga — who, as of writing, has no picks in the first two rounds.

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Suddenly sitting at No.3 is Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as they received the TerreFirma Dyip’s original selection due to their blockbuster Standhardinger-Holt trade, while Davao-native Dennis Uy’s Phoenix Fuel Masters holds the fourth overall pick.

The NorthPort Batang Pier will look to answer their search for a shot creator at No.5, the NLEX Road Warriors and their new head coach Jong Uichico can continue rerouting their journey to success with the sixth pick, while the seventh and eighth picks can give the Rain Or Shine ElastoPainters a fresh coat of paint.

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Meanwhile, the aging Magnolia Hotshots can inject themselves some young blood with the ninth pick, TerraFirma is at 10, the reigning Philippine Cup champions Meralco Bolts will pick at No.11, and the San Miguel Beermen will close the first round. 

The draft will be held on Sunday, 4 p.m., at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.