Balti Baltazar will be finishing his MPBL stint first with Pampanga before joining Converge. PBA Images (file photo)

 

MANILA–Balti Baltazar will not immediately suit up for Converge in the PBA Governors’ Cup as he has to finish his contract with Pampanga.

The Giant Lanterns said in a statement on Monday that Baltazar, the number one pick of Sunday’s PBA Draft, will finish his stint with them first before he can jump to the FiberXers.

Also drafted to the PBA from the Pampanga roster were Kurt Reyson, Brandon Ramirez, and Ronan Santos, and they too will finish their MPBL stint first.

The franchise is in the thick of the fight for the regional league’s national championship as the club is on top of the North Division at 16-1, which means the defending champion could be primed for another deep playoff run.

“Baltazar, Reyson, Ramirez, and Santos are eager to get the back-to-back champion[ships] this season before their stint in the PBA,” the Lanterns said.

The possibility is that unless they get an early release, they may have to remain in the MPBL until December if their team makes the national finals.

Converge head coach Aldin Ayo is aware of the situation, and he said that they will be patient even if it means Baltazar will play in the MPBL during the period of the new PBA season’s first conference.

“They have to win first. We’re going to be patient. Kung ano ang desisyon ni [Pampanga] Gov. Delta [Pineda], Boss Jacob [Lao], and [Converge] Gov. Archen [Cayabyab], susundin namin,” Ayo said.

The Giant Lanterns will travel to Binan to battle the Tatak Gel on Tuesday night in a huge showdown.