Local big man Justine Baltazar is looking forward to play with former NBA big men and learn from them in his second stint with Strong Group ahead of the 33rd Dubai International Championship. 

The MPBL MVP is back in the roster as the Philippine-based team seeks to eclipse its previous record. 

While the Charles Tiu-coached squad is surely not lacking talent with its improved rotation, the same can’t be said for its debut lineup last year where Baltazar and UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao faced a tall task taking the role as the team’s only big men – eventually seeing the team suffer a sorry 106-97 loss against Lebanon’s Al Riyadi in the quarterfinals. 

 This time, former Los Angeles Lakers big man and naturalized Filipino center Andray Blatche are set to reinforce the Strong Group, giving young local talents such as Baltazar and Quiambao another opportunity of a lifetime in their rising careers. 

“Sobrang sarap sa feeling makapalaro rito sa Strong Group. Kasi mga NBA players ‘yung mga kasama ko rito. Madadala ko to kung saan man ako maglaro. Malaking tulong. Mas smart [sila] maglaro sa akin, so kailangan marami ako matutunan dito sa kanila. Kumbaga kailangan kong humingi ng advice rin kasi same kami, as a big man ‘yung laro,” Baltazar said. 

“Sana [mas malayo ‘yung marating ng team.] Kasi last year kulang kami sa big man eh. So malaking tulong talaga na makapaglaro rito si kuya Andray at saka Dwight,” he added. 

“Di patas ‘yung laro namin nung quarterfinals [last year].” 

The 6-foot-9 former De La Salle standout, who skipped the PBA Draft last year and previously expressed he had no desire to play in the league, is now poised for a possible signing. 

The change of heart might have come following his MVP season in the MPBL with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. 

With the Dubai tourney giving him a golden opportunity to jump to the PBA, Baltazar is determined to make it count. 

“Last year, ‘yung mga Pilipino doon sobrang sumporta. Halos lahat pag may game kami talagang napupuno ‘yung team eh. Pag wala kaming game, talagang hinahanap ‘yung mga Pilipino kasi grabe ‘yung suporta,” he said.