Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 29) — Pampanga Giant Lanterns’ big man Justine Baltazar bagged his first Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) on Tuesday.
Baltazar said winning the award in front of his fellow Kapampangans is a huge confidence booster especially with his team only one win away from the championship.
The former De La Salle University Green Archer ran away with the top honor after leading his team to the North Division crown and a shot at the national title.
“Kailangan namin makuha itong national champion para lahat ng teammates ko masaya yung mga coaches pati ‘yung boss ko,” he said.
[Translation: We need to get this national champion so that all my teammates, the coaches, and my boss are happy.]
The 6-foot-9 center posted an average of 17.4 points, 16.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks, together with 31 double-double performances in the 33 games this season.
MPBL founder Manny Pacquiao awarded the special MVP ball to Baltazar at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga ahead of Game 2 of the best-of-five national finals between the Pampanga Giant Lanterns and Bacoor City Strikers.
“Iniimprove pa natin lalo yung liga natin at nawa’y mabigyan pa natin ng chance yung mga nasa probinsya na magagaling maglaro katulad nito si Baltazar,” Pacquiao said.
[Translation: We are still improving our league and I hope we can give a chance to those players in the province who can play well like Baltazar.]
The Giant Lanterns moved within a win of the MPBL fifth season national title after beating the Bacoor City Strikers in Game 2, 68-65.
They will try to sweep the best-of-five series on Dec. 2 at the Strike Gymnasium in Bacoor, Cavite.
Baltazar headlines the All-MPBL first team also consists of Will McAloney, Jhan Nermal, 3-point King Orlan Wamar, and last year’s MVP Jaycee Marcelino.
Rob Celiz, Jeckster Apinan, James Kuwekuteye, Archie Concepcion, and Ryan Costelo were named to the second team.
Other awardees were:
Adrian Nocum – Rookie of the Year
JR Taganas – Sportsmanship Award
Jason Ballesteros – Defensive Player of the Year
Chris Masaglang – Best Homegrown
Poypoy Actub – Impact Player of the Year
