No. 19 – Pampanga Giant Lanterns | |
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Position | Power forward |
League | MPBL |
Personal information | |
Born | Mabalacat, Pampanga, Philippines | February 19, 1997
Nationality | Filipino |
Listed height | 6 ft 9[1] in (2.06 m) |
Listed weight | 250[1] lb (113 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | NSNU (Manila) |
College | De La Salle |
PBA draft | 2024: 1st round, 1st overall pick |
Selected by the Converge FiberXers | |
Playing career | 2019–present |
Career history | |
2019 | San Juan Knights |
2022 | Pampanga Delta |
2022 | Hiroshima Dragonflies |
2023–present | Pampanga G Lanterns / Giant Lanterns |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Justine Sagaya Baltazar (born February 19, 1997) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is listed at 6 feet 9 ½ inches (2.07 m).[2]
Baltazar played his college career with the De La Salle Green Archers and had a short stint with the San Juan Knights of the MPBL. In 2022, he would make his professional debut with the Pampanga Delta before moving to Japan's B.League to play for the Hiroshima Dragonflies.
In 2023, Baltazar returned to domestic basketball to play for the hometown Pampanga Giant Lanterns franchise in both the Pilipinas Super League (PSL) and later the MPBL. He won two professional championships and two Finals MVP nods across both leagues among numerous accolades with the Giant Lanterns, and would later be selected first overall by the Converge FiberXers during the PBA season 49 draft in 2024. He was also selected to three UAAP Mythical Teams while playing for De La Salle.