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    Pumaren has no doubt Baltazar will pass his Gilas baptism of fire

    Justine Baltazar capable of holding his own against Asia's best big men, says Archers boss
    Nov 20, 2020
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    COACH Derrick Pumaren is expecting big things from Justine Baltazar as the La Salle center takes on the task of manning the paint for Gilas Pilipinas in the November window of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers.

    "If he's going to be the main guy (for Gilas at center), I think he will be able to step on the plate and face the challenge. He will be able to hold his own against the bigs of other countries," the veteran mentor told Spin.ph.

    Baltazar is without question the best center in the collegiate ranks today.

    Inheriting the mantle from two-time UAAP MVP Ben Mbala, the 6-foot-8 Kapampangan big man has anchored the frontcourt of the Green Archers for the past two UAAP seasons and earned his spot in the Mythical Team.

    He continued his onslaught as part of Pampanga Delta in the National Basketball League (NBL).

    Gilas has repeatedly extended invites to Baltazar to be part of the pool in the past, but it was only this time where he accepted the callup and presented himself as a legitimate option down low.

    Surely, the national team can only benefit from this partnership as Baltazar is poised to pair up with fellow bigs Isaac Go and Kemark Carino.

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    "I think this will be good for Balti as far as experience is concerned. This experience will better his game moving forward," said Pumaren of this Gilas run for Baltazar, upbeat that the 23-year-old can make his mark for the national team.

    "I just told him to give his best every game and I know he will, learning from this and being a better player after this campaign."

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    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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