Baltazar feels this is right time to enter PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Prospective top pick Justine Baltazar feels the two-year delay in his PBA bid has allowed him to get more battle ready for action in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.

The 6-foot-8 Baltazar initially applied for the PBA draft in 2022 but eventually withdrew and signed up with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B. League.

He decided to skip the succeeding 2023 PBA draft and instead took his act to MPBL, where he won Season and Finals MVP and helped the Pampanga Lanterns win the championship.

“Last year, hindi pa ako talaga ready,” the former La Salle standout said during yesterday’s PBA Draft Combine.

“Hindi ako masyadong nakapaglaro sa overseas so kumuha ako ng kumpiyansa dito sa MPBL hanggang sa ito, parang bumabalik na rin ang laro ko. Ngayong taon talaga ang balak ko magpa-draft at ready na ako magpa-draft,” he added.

He believes the Japan and MPBL stints were beneficial to his PBA-readiness.

“Malaking tulong sa akin kasi ‘yung mga nakakalaban ko dun sa ibang bansa eh grabe rin, mga ex-NBA players so parang madadala ko ‘yun dito sa PBA. Sa MPBL naman, dun ko kinuha ‘yung kumpiyansa ko. Kumbaga pagdating ko ng PBA, hindi na ako masyadong mangangapa o mahirapan.”

Baltazar is among 70 hopefuls who have entered their names in the PBA’s Season 48 selection process on Sunday.

And with the No. 1 choice at the hands of Converge, a team coached by his collegiate mentor Aldin Ayo and affiliated with his benefactor Gov. Dennis Pineda, Baltazar looms as the likely man.