Justine Baltazar was one of the big names that did not participate in the 2022 PBA Draft Combine on Wednesday.
Still, the 6-foot-7 big man was at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in the afternoon as he is set to be named as one of the members of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Mythical Team.
Pressed by Tiebreaker Times as to why he did not attend the combine held at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong, the 25-year-old, who is projected to be one of the top three picks in the draft, said that he is still nursing an injury.
“Injured,” he said during the brief conversation.
“Namamaga pa ang paa ko.”
Last May 1, the 6-foot-7 forward sat out De La Salle University’s game against National University as he injured his ankle during their penultimate game of the season against Adamson University.
Still, Baltazar played in both games of the Final Four that saw them suffer a 78-74 loss to University of the Philippines five days ago.
In his final year with the Green Archers, Baltazar averaged 12.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.07 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 15 games played.
Also missing the combine were the likes of Brandon Rosser, Sedrick Barefield, Jeremiah Gray, Gian Mamuyac, BJ Andrade, Tyler Tio, Jeo Ambohot, and Javi Gomez de Liano.
Photo by PBA Images
