The Converge FibrXers select Justine Baltazar with the first overall pick during the PBA Season 49 Draft in Makati City on July 14, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Justine Baltazar is set to reunite with his former collegiate coach, Aldin Ayo, after the Converge FiberXers selected him as the first overall pick of the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft.

The Kapampangan star, who was linked to the franchise even before he declared for the league's annual proceedings, expressed his delight to play for his former De La Salle University coach, with whom he won a championship in the UAAP. 

"Sobrang happy ako kasi nakasama ko na si Coach Aldin sa UAAP," he said during Sunday's event which was held at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati.

"Then nakapag-champion kami na isa. Alam ko na yung mga sistema ni coach Aldin so excited na naman ako na makasama siya ulit," he continued.

READ: Baltazar goes to Converge with No. 1 pick

Since playing for Ayo with the Green Archers, Baltazar has received a call-up to the national team and made a name for himself in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns where he won Season and Finals Most Valuable Player awards. He also had a brief stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League.

These stints made Baltazar one of the most prized prospects in recent years, and with Converge holding the top pick in this year's draft as well as his links to the franchise, their pairing just made sense.

But Baltazar said he was still surprised to hear his name called by the FiberXers. 

"Sobrang happy ko ngayon na sa dinami-rami ng kasama ko ngayon na nagpa-draft, ako yung napili nila," he said. "Talagang na-surprise talaga ako na Converge ang nag-draft sa akin."

But now that he is set to don the squad's purple kits, Baltazar is ready to help Justin Arana, Alec Stockton, and the rest of the team bounce back from their abysmal showing in Season 48.

"Sobrang saya ko na magiging kakampi ko si Justin kasi nakakalaban ko lang dati sa UST yan sa college. So yun, excited ako na makasama siya ulit and then para makatulong din ako kasi last year talaga wala siyang katulong eh," he said.

"Siguro wag lang muna akong ma-pressure, and gagampanan ko lang yung role ko as a big man. Kung ano yung maitutulong ko sa team, yun lang [gagawin ko]."