AS far as coach Tim Cone is concerned, the addition of Converge big man Justine Baltazar injects versatility to a Gilas Pilipinas side that just a few days ago wouldn’t be reinforced by Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown (QMB).
The 6-foot-8 Baltazar joined Gilas on its first day of practice last Monday, held at the Upper Deck gym in Ortigas, Pasig.
“We love his versatility at his size. We can be creative with him,” Cone told The Manila Times.
With Sotto and QMB begging off for the coming window 2 of the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Baltazar’s size, athleticism and rebounding ability will come in handy as he could come and help veteran June Mar Fajardo and AJ Edu at the front court.
The 28-year-old Baltazar averaged over 14 rebounds for the FiberXers in the recent PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, where they blew a twice-to-beat advantage against Cone’s Barangay Ginebra Kings in the quarterfinals.
Should he make the final cut, the 2024 top PBA rookie pick is expected to bring the same youthful energy and intensity for Gilas, which battles two basketball titans, starting with New Zealand on Feb. 26, followed by Australia on March 1.
Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Baltazar last played for the Philippine team in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers under then-coach Tab Baldwin.
The former La Salle forward/center averaged 7.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in five games that year.
Baltazar is the second Converge player added to the Gilas pool after rookie guard Juan Gomez De Liano late last year.