Justine Baltazar, the number one pick in the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft, will finish the ongoing season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) before joining the Coverge FiberXers.
The Pampanga Giant Lanterns, the team of Baltazar in the MPBL, clarified the staus of the 27-year old player in a Facebook post n Monday, July 15.
With the help of Baltazar, the Lanterns seeks to defend their title in the MPBL.
"The recently no.1 overall pick in the 49th PBA Draft will finish his remaining games in the MPBL before heading to the PBA," announced the Lanterns,
After drafting Baltazar during the PBA Rookie Draft last Sunday, July 14, in Makati City, FiberXers Coach Aldin Ayo acknowledged that the reigning MPBL Most Valuable Player might not immediately suit up for the team due to his obligations with the Lanterns.
"We're excited na nandito na sa amin si Balti. Kung kailan darating, kung maglalaro, hihintayin namin," Ayo said.
Depending on whether the Lanterns could reach the finals or suffer an early exit in the current MPBL season, Baltazar might miss the games of Converge until the middle of December.
Aside from Baltazar, the Lanterns also announced that Kurt Reyson, Brandon Ramirez, and Ronan Santos will finish the 2024 MPBL season before suiting up for the PBA teams that drafted them.
