Justine Baltazar has been having a spectacular season so far for the De La Salle University Green Archers. But he has reserved his best games against his past coaches.
Last September 19, the 6-foot-7 big man had a coming out party against the NU Bulldogs, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds. And he made sure his former head coach in Nazareth School of National University, Jeff Napa, saw it.
Thirteen days later, he made sure to send the same statement.
During his first two years in La Salle under coach Aldin Ayo, the Pampanga native could not get consistent minutes. After averaging 10.0 minutes in his rookie year, it dropped to 8.6 minutes per outing during his sophomore year.
“Siguro, last year, sa kanya, wala akong playing time talaga e. Ilang minutes lang ako naglalaro,” recalled the 21-year-old.
And he made sure to show Ayo what he’d missed, finishing with a career-high 22 points to go along with 10 rebounds and three blocks. More importantly for him, the Green Archers blew out the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 99-72.
“Ngayon, pinakita ko lang talaga sa kanyang nag-improve ako talaga.
“Nag-doble kayod ako ngayon. Siguro, kaya umabante yung laro ko ngayon, dahil sa teammates ko na rin. Lagi kaming nag-uusap kasi kaya yun,” he shared.
For his part, Ayo is delighted that Baltazar is putting in the work.
“Well again, it’s not me, it’s not the coaches. It’s about him, it’s about the players.
“Kaya yung mga coaches na nagta-take credit sa mga nagagawa sa team, that should not be the case kasi nakaupo lang kami dun, nakatayo lang kami dun. Ang naglalaro yung mga players. eh. ‘Di ba? So sila may kagagawan nyan sa sarili nila,” he said.
Though he has had numerous coaches in his young career, Baltazar is grateful to have been under the tutelage of such great minds.
“Siguro, inspirasyon ko lang din kasi nakasama ko sila. Kung anong tinuro nila sa kin, ini-improve ko lang. Masarap ipakita na maganda yung nilalaro ko. Siguro, nakikita rin nila.”
