Justine Baltazar delivers career outing for Converge FiberXers
Justine Baltazar stepped up for Converge as his team eked out a 127-109 victory over Blackwater Bossing in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner's Cup last night, January 19, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Converge’s prized ward posted a double-double output of 20 points and 10 rebounds, along with two assists, three steals, and two blocks to earn him Best Player of the Game honors.
"I was given a chance to play, so I just gave it my best," Baltazar said during the postgame interview. "No matter who we are against, we will not just relax."
Despite the FiberXers losing Justin Arana in the closing seconds of the third quarter due to a hyperextended left knee, Baltazar exhibited what he is capable of in a solid effort to assist the FiberXers in this win.
Jordan Heading paced Converge, firing 22 markers, while import Cheick Diallo added a double-double of 20 points and 18 rebounds, and Alec Stockton supplied the FiberXers with 19 points to notch solo second in the team standings.
The Bossing finished with a 2-8 record after George King poured a game-high 34 points, including four 4-pointers, while Frederick Tungcab contributed 20 points.
With one game remaining, Converge, currently the second-best team behind TNT, may secure the twice-to-beat bonus against San Miguel on Friday, January 24.
Meanwhile, the Blackwater Bossing will try to finish the conference on a high note when they conclude their last two games against Phoenix and NorthPort.
The Scores:
CONVERGE 127 – Heading 22, Baltazar 20, Diallo 20, Stockton 19, Delos Santos 10, Winston 10, Santos 8, Nieto 8, Arana 7, Racal 3, Caralipio 0, Andrade 0.
BLACKWATER 109 – King 34, Tungcab 20, Chua 16, David 14, Kwekuteye 10, Casio 6, Corteza 4, Ponferrada 3, Guinto 2, Montalbo 0, Ayonayon 0, Jopia 0.
Quarter Scores: 33-26, 70-56, 97-88, 127-109.
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