BALTI BANNERS '24 DRAFT CLASS
The Philippine Star|July 15, 2024
Make way for Converge’s new twin tower of Justin Arana and freshman Justine Baltazar.
OLMIN LEYBA
BALTI BANNERS '24 DRAFT CLASS

The FiberXers made Baltazar the top pick in yesterday’s PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft in a move that didn’t come as a surprise to many.

Standing above 6-foot-6, Baltazar plugged Converge’s hole in the middle as he’s set to form a deadly combo with Arana, the Season 47 Rookie of the Year who carried the bulk of frontline duties the past season.

“Sobrang saya ko na maka-teammate si Justin kasi nakalaban ko na lang siya dati sa UST nung college. So ‘yun, excited ako makasama siya para makatulong din ako kasi last year talaga wala siyang katulong, eh; kulang sila sa big man,” Baltazar said after taking the stage ahead of everyone.

The two-way big man fondly called “Balti” would feel right at home with his PBA club with a familiar face at the helm – coach Aldin Ayo.

This story is from the July 15, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 15, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE PHILIPPINE STARView All
The Philippine Star

Energy security, consumer choice and the ERC

Energy and power security means ample supply of electricity with no blackout, there is consistent expansion of power supply to meet rising demand yearly.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Bloomberry gets ball rolling on 3rd Solaire casino resort

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. has commenced preparations for its third Solaire casino resort in the country to be opened in the next five to 10 years.

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

First self-driving bus service launched in Clark

Japan-based Zenmov Inc. in partnership with MC Metro Transport Operation Inc., has rolled out the country’s first smart autonomous bus service in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

BSP thumbs down reduction in thrift banks' liquidity ratio

Reducing the minimum liquidity ratio (MLR) of thrift banks to 16 percent from the current 20 percent is not needed at this time as the industry remains capable of complying with the requirement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

ACEN gets green lane status for solar project

The Board of Investments (BOI) has endorsed for green lane processing ACEN Corp.’s SanMar solar project in Zambales.

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Phl seeks re-inclusion in JP Morgan bond index

The Philippines will likely benefit from a renewed wave of investor interest if the country is re-included in JP Morgan’s widely tracked emerging markets bond index (EMBI), according to Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank).

time-read
2 mins  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Rural ISPs push lifting of telco entry barriers

Internet service providers (ISPs) in farflung areas have fired back at the dominant players in the connectivity industry by rallying behind a proposed law that would ease barriers for entry.

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Growth on target this year, says BSP

The Philippine economy may grow within the six to seven percent target for this year, but it could fall below the targets set for 2025 and 2026 due to the negative impact of previous rate hikes on demand, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas BSP).

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Archers rip apart Falcons

Reigning champion La Salle hardly broke a sweat in trashing Adamson, 82-52, to stay unblemished in the UAAP Season 87 yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024
The Philippine Star

Philippines gambles on board assignment

Call it a Philippine gambit. Deviating from their usual roster for a better chance at winning, the Filipinas will gamble on fielding their top two players Janellle Mae Frayna and Jan Jodilyn Fronda on second and third boards instead in the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad that unfurled last night at the BOK Sports Hall here.

time-read
1 min  |
September 12, 2024