After an eventful Gilas stint last year, Justine Baltazar has already been widely considered as one of the most ‘pro-ready’ players in the collegiate ranks today.
Now suiting up in his final year with De La Salle University, the 6-foot-8 forward is being tasked to lead a Green Archers squad that is raring to vie for the title in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The team finally hit the ground running as they successfully fended off a gallant stand by the University of the East to secure a 71-66 victory on Saturday night at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Despite being the most experienced player on their side, Baltazar admitted that he is still adjusting to the leadership role that was entrusted to him, given the youth movement within their team. He also called his other teammates to step up and help him as he tries to lead the Green Archers for the rest of the UAAP season.
“Malaking adjustment para sa’kin ‘to kasi maraming rookies dito. Kailangan nilang mag-step up, tulungan nila ako dito kasi ‘di ko kayang mag-isa ‘to,” the 25-year-old big man claimed.
“Kailangan team talaga maglalaro dito. Kaya dapat gawin namin ‘yung mga pinapagawa ng mga coaches.”
In their first game against the Red Warriors, the Pampanga native provided what was needed from him as he produced 12 points, 11 rebounds, and a block in 27 minutes of action. Despite getting a late scare from UE, Derrick Pumaren’s squad still managed to pull through and nab an opening-day victory.
Even after the win, Baltazar knows that the team is still a work in progress, especially at this stage of the season. He hopes that his younger teammates will be able to overcome their jitters sooner than later in order for DLSU to play better as a unit in their upcoming games.
“Marami pang pagkakamali na kailangang i-tama. Dito sa team na ‘to maraming mga rookies, siguro nanggigigil sila eh kasi first time nilang makapaglaro dito sa UAAP.”
Baltazar and the rest of the Green Archers (1-0) will aim to grab their second win of the season when they match up against National University at 4:00 PM on Tuesday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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