The PBA Draft unfurls on July 14 at the Glorietta mall in Makati City.
Justine Baltazar was beaming with confidence when he joined fellow aspirants in the PBA Rookie Draft Combine on Thursday, July 11.
That was not the case in 2022 when Baltazar was coming off a short-lived stint with Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B.League. He played sparingly for the team.
Baltazar returned home and instead of declaring for the PBA Draft, he tried to regain his confidence with the Pampanga Lanterns in the MPBL.
“Hindi pa talaga ako ready last year kasi 'yung playing time, wala akong playing time sa overseas,” said Baltazar.
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“So naglaro muna ako sa MPBL para malabas ko ulit 'yung laro ko," he added.
Justine Baltazar in action during Day 1 of the PBA Draft Combine last Wednesday, July 10 | Photo (c) PBA
But after steering Pampanga to an MPBL title while earning the MVP and Finals MVP honors last December, the 6-foot-7 forward feels he is now ready for the premier league in Asia.
“'Yung kumpiyansa, kinukuha ko para madala ko sa [PBA]. Ni-re-ready ko rin ang katawan ko para madala ko rin pagdating ko sa PBA,” he said.
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Despite being the projected top overall pick, Baltazar is under no illusion everything will be any easier once he struts his stuff in the PBA.
“'Yun lang ang ginagawa ko. Ni-re-ready ko lang ang sarili ko kasi hindi biro sa pro. Kailangang pagpasok ko diyan, ready talaga ang katawan ko, kundisiyon ako,” said Baltazar, who confessed to being a San Miguel fan.
The Mabalacat, Pamapanga native is joining the likes of RJ Abarrientos, Sedrick Barefield and Caelan Tiongson in the 70-man draft which unfurls on July 14 at Glorietta in Makati City.