Baltazar, with size and versatility, a welcome addition to Gilas
The presence of Justine Baltazar on the first day of practice has put a touch of intrigue in the makeup of the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the second window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Baltazar’s attendance at Monday’s session at the Upper Deck Sports Center in Ortigas was also a welcome development, with Kai Sotto and Quentin Millora-Brown opting to skip the two big home matches against New Zealand and Australia.
Coach Tim Cone told the Inquirer that the Converge big man is under consideration to suit up for the twin games to be held on Feb. 26 and March 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Justine has a really strong case for being part of the (final) 12,” Cone said. “We like his size and versatility.”
Baltazar is no stranger to Gilas, having played under Tab Baldwin during the pandemic days of 2020 and 2021 when he appeared in the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain and Pampanga and the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Serbia.
His possible inclusion comes with Sotto opting out after being advised to rest since he recently came back from a year-long absence due to an ACL injury.
Millora-Brown, on the other hand, was quoted by spin.ph to have “chosen not to come” despite coming off his Gilas debut in the twin wins over Guam in the first window near the end of 2025.
The ex-University of the Philippines center, known for his initials of “QMB,” is now in the B.League with the Chiba Jets.
Their absences pose a big dilemma for Gilas as it faces two teams with size and heft in the Kiwis and the Aussies.
Both teams took advantage of those when they beat Gilas in last year’s Fiba Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Gilas held its first practice with only PBA players in attendance, though those who are plying their trade in the B.League and Korean Basketball League are expected to arrive in the next few days.
Those who took part in the first practice were June Mar Fajardo, Chris Newsome, RJ Abarrientos, Troy Rosario, Calvin Oftana and Troy Rosario.
Gilas will spend the next few days at Upper Deck before heading to its usual stomping ground at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
