Quick Facts
Biography
Justine 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).
Early life and education
Baltazar was born on February 19, 1997 in Mabalacat, Pampanga. He moved to Metro Manila in 2012 to attend the Nazareth School of National University. In college, he attended De La Salle University.
High school and college career
Baltazar played in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in high school and college. In the juniors' (high school) division he played for the Nazareth School of National University Bullpups. Baltazar led the team to a runner-up finish in UAAP Season 77 in 2015 and to the title in UAAP Season 78 in 2016. He later transferred to De La Salle University to play for the De La Salle Green Archers, also of the UAAP, for college.
Professional career
Baltazar entered the PBA Season 47 draft but later withdrew after an offer from a team from the Japanese B.League. He would later make his professional debut with his hometown team Pampanga Delta of the NBL–Philippines playing a game on the same day as the PBA draft. He played for Pampanga before in the 2019–20 season, when the NBL–Philippines was still an amateur league.
In May 2022, Baltazar signed with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of the B.League for the 2022–23 season. He was set to join the team after the conclusion of his stint with the Delta in the 2022 NBL–Philippines season. However, he was released on December 20, 2022.
Baltazar then went on to play for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns franchise, first in the Pilipinas Super League, where they the 2022 DUMPER Cup championship against the Davao Occidental Tigers. He stayed with the franchise for its season debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, helping the team start the season 17–0 and clinching the best record in the league that season. He then went on to become season MVP and Finals MVP as the Giant Lanterns swept the Bacoor City Strikers in the 2023 MPBL Finals.
National team career
Baltazar has played for the Philippine national team. He suited up for the national team in the 2022 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers and the 2020 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament both in mid-2021.
Personal life
Baltazar is married to Rizza with whom he has a son.