By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers superstar and former Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Justine Baltazar was just in time before the 2022 PBA Rookie Draft application was called off.
After losing against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons during the UAAP Season 84 semifinals, the six-foot-seven stretch-forward declared his desire to turn professional.
Despite offers to play overseas including the Japan B. League, Baltazar chose to stay in the Philippines in hopes of getting drafted into the “best league in Asia.”
Now with Baltazar in the pool of the 2022 draftees, several PBA analysts project him to immediately rise as high as the first five picks especially after a stellar final season with the Green Archers.
Baltazar was able to cement his superstar status not only through his play in the UAAP but also during his Gilas Pilipinas campaign where he helped the national team sweep the mighty South Korean squad during the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers.
Baltazar was among the young Gilas cadets that former head coach Tab Baldwin hand-picked to be a part of the promising team that led the country to an undefeated campaign during the Manama and the February FIBA window.
Aside from Baltazar, his DLSU teammate and co-captain Kurt Lojera also declared for the 2022 PBA Draft.
The leftie scoring machine backstopped Baltazar to a final four UAAP Season 84 finish and averaged 10.19 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.69 assists, and 1.44 steals per game.
Baltazar and Lojera will join a stacked and talented 2022 pool headlined by Filipino-American swingman Jeremiah Gray, former NBA G League player Sedrick Barefield, and PBA 3×3 multi-champion Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
