MPBL MVP JUSTINE BALTAZAR SAYS NO DESIRE TO JOIN PBA DRAFT

ALTHOUGH he admits being a fan of Barangay Ginebra high-flyer Japeth Aguilar and San Miguel's seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, two-time MPBL MVP Justine Baltzar says he is not yet tinkering on the possibility of joining the next PBA draft.

In a chat with Spin.ph shortly after leading the Gov. Dennis "Delta" Pineda-coached squad to its first ever MPBL title, Baltazar revealed that if given a choice, he’d rather stick it out with Pampanga in the regional league.

READ Justine Baltazar is runaway winner of MPBL MVP award

"Sa ngayon wala pa kong plano, dito muna ako (sa MPBL). Nag-eenjoy muna ko sa Pampanga, para sa mga Kapampangan," said Baltazar, adored by his cabalens as a hero for leading a rookie-laden team to the championship.

With his regular season averages of 17.1 points, 16.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, no doubt, Baltazar can stand out in any league.

But the 27-year old big man knows his value to the province and fears his departure would dent the team's progress.

"Yun po kasi ang isang concern ko. If aalis ako baka mag-struggle ang team especially now, champion na kami. May objective ang mga cabalen ko na maidepensa yung titulo. Wala pang nakakagawa nun sa MPBL. Yung title defense saka two championships," said the former La Salle star.

PHOTO: MPBL

In the six-year history of the MPBL, no team has ever tallied back-to-back championships as five titles were evenly distributed to Batangas City, Go for Gold San Juan Knights, Davao Occidental, Nueva Ecija and now Pampanga.

Asked if he doesn’t covet a bigger paycheck that he can only earn in the PBA or in overseas leagues, Baltazar had a quick reply.

"Sa ngayon hindi ko inaano 'yung malaking pera. Dito sa Pampanga, okay na ko. Kung magkano ang natatanggap ko, kuntento na ko. Galing rin ako sa hirap kaya kuntento na ko kung ano meron ako keysa dati na wala ako," said the agile 6-8 wingman.

"Masaya naman ako sa suporta ni Gov, sapat naman, sobra pa nga para suportahan ko yung pamilya ko. Di naman kailangang sobra-sobra ang kita mo. Mahalaga saan ka masaya.

"Eh, masaya naman ako sa MPBL kasi iba talaga yung naglalaro ka nang may pride para sa bayan mo, para sa mga kamaganak mo. Tapos full support pa sa 'yo mga cabalen mo," he added.

Baltazar fields Japan offers

Baltazar revealed that there are three teams from the Japan B.League which called when he and the Giant Lanterns were in the thick of their campaign in the MPBL playoffs.

"May mga tumawag sa 'kin, kaso di ko masyado natutukan kasi nga naghahanda ako sa MPBL finals nun," he said.

Asked if he is not in a rush to play with his idols Aguilar and Fajardo, who are both in the twilight of their careers, Baltazar only responded with a smile.

"Gusto ko rin silang makalaro. Mga idol ko sila eh, saka si (Raymond) Almazan. Kaso need ko muna timbangin ang commitment ko sa Pampanga at mga kababayan ko dito," said Baltazar, whose father is a big fan of ‘El Presidente’ Ramon Fernandez.

With his size, agility and outside shooting, no doubt Balatzar, who sometimes plays the point for Pampanga, will be a big hit if and when he decides to join the PBA draft.

The only question is when.

2023-12-06T06:15:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd