Justine Baltazar’s stellar five-year stay in De La Salle University ended in heartbreak on Friday evening.
Just seven minutes away from making his third UAAP finals appearance as the Green Archers held a 14-point lead, the 25-year-old native of Pampanga and his team saw their lead vanquish at the hands of his good pal Carl Tamayo and the Fighting Maroons.
As the 40-minute affair ended, sorrow, regret, and sadness filled La Salle’s side of the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Baltazar’s collegiate career had just ended.
In less than 24 hours, a new journey awaits the 6-foot-7 big man turned all-around scorer and stopper.
The application for the 2022 PBA Rookie Draft comes to a close on Saturday. But don’t expect Baltazar to submit his documents.
According to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation, Baltazar is set to sign a lucrative contract with an unspecified B.League team when the signing period for the league begins on May 16.
And included in the deal is that Justine can also bring his wife Chik and his son to Japan.
Yes, B.League teams allow their imports to bring family in for as long as they are married.
As early as 2021, B.League teams have been wooing to get Baltazar.
“May nagme-message po sa akin sa Japan,” Baltazar said a year ago, confirming what Pampanga’s sports coordinator Alan Trinidad said that three clubs were trying to recruit him.
But the desire to end his collegiate career with gold prevailed over his professional dreams.
“We really appreciate Balti’s gesture for still playing his last year, where he could’ve been playing, to play sa Japan or whatever turn professional, but he still fulfilled his promise,” said Green Archers head coach Derrick Pumaren about the soon-to-be three-time UAAP Mythical Team member.
“We are grateful for that and really him. Balti’s attitude — yun ang pagka-Lasallian niya.”
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