WHILE Gilas Pilipinas is having manpower problems in the frontline with the Kai Sotto situation far from resolved, here's another point to ponder.
According to Pampanga Governor and longtime basketball patron Dennis 'Delta' Pineda, one of the top players in his stable, Justine Baltazar, wasn't even called to be part of the Gilas Pool for the Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Pineda made the confirmation when reached for comment on the non-inclusion of the versatile 6-foot-8 forward, who was one of the standouts for Gilas in the Fiba Olympic Qualifiers in in Serbia back in 2020.
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“Hindi (siya tinawag)," came the curt reply of the Pampanga governor who helped the careers of PBA stars Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, Arwind Santos and Encho Serrano, to name a few.
"Sayang nga. Pero marami naman yatang big man 'yung Gilas ngayon eh, ano?” he added.
Currently, Baltazar is playing for Pineda’s Pampanga Lanterns in the MPBL where he is averaging 17.9 points per game, 17.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He is also shooting an impressive 54.4% from the field.
Very agile for a 6-8 big, Baltazar is one of the frequently mentioned players that ought to be in the lineup, especially now that the team is shorthanded up front with Carl Tamayo begging ogg early and Sotto's participation still unsure up until this time.
Worse, the current pool is shallow in the frontline with June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, AJ Edu, and Poy Erram the only players available. The choice of Jordan Clarkson as naturalized player also ruled out Ange Kouame and Justin Brownlee from the team.
Baltazar could've come in handy
In his stint with Gilas during the Serbian Olympic Qualifier, Baltazar averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2 assists per game and was a crucial defensive presence in the game against Serbia, which ended in a 76-83 loss for Gilas.
In an interview, Rain or Shine assistant coach and former Tab Baldwin associate at Gilas Caloy Garcia bared the value and intangibles that Baltazar brings to the table.
“Malaking bagay siya. 6-8 na pwedeng mag wing, added height good for international, coach Tab (Baldwin) used him within the role, and he delivered with flying colors. He was dependable offensively and defensively,” said Garcia, who stood as one of Baldwin’s bench lieutenants during the Serbian tournament.
Asked if Baltazar should've been included in the current Gilas pool, the former Rain or Shine head coach said: “Depende kasi sistema yan eh, kung ano nakikita ni coach Chot [Reyes]. Pero basically sayang din (na wala si Balti)."
For now, Pineda bared that he is trying to keep Baltazar in top share as they decide on his future.
“Hinahayaan ko munang maglaro sa MPBL para anytime na tawagin siya ulit ng Gilas or mag-apply sa PBA draft, ready ang kundisyon na s'ya. Maingat naman sa katawan yung bata,” Pineda said.

Asked if we can expect Baltazar to be part of the next PBA draft class, Pineda was non-committal.
"October (pa naman ata yung draft). I’ll decide pa kung papa-draft ko ng October si Justine,” he said.
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