Not too many players can consistently post double-double performances, much so a 20-20 game.
Believe it or not, Justine Baltazar did more than that, posting 25 points and 25 rebounds as La Salle dismantled National University, 85-61, in the UAAP men’s basketball tournament last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The 6-foot-7 center already had 15 points and 14 rebounds at halftime before doubling down on his effort and, in the end, the Bulldogs had nothing left to stop him.
Standing in elite company of players who have recorded a 25-25 game, Baltazar was the hands down winner for the latest Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week award.
A workhorse inside the paint, the fourth-year big man collected 10 of his huge rebounding output from the offensive side while also swatting two shots in 33 minutes of action.
His exploits deserved sweet praise from La Salle head coach Gian Nazario.
“When was the last time a local had a 25 and 25 in the UAAP? I mean, again, yan ang resulta ng ginagawa ni Balti during practices. He really works hard. He takes care of his body and it shows in the game,” said Nazario.
Even better, Baltazar’s explosion came just at the right time as the Green Archers try to rally for more wins in the second round.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat kasi maganda and laro ko. Bumawi ako sa laro ko kasi medyo pangit ang laro ko nung huli,” he said after only finishing with four points in the team’s 92-77 triumph over UST a week ago.
Baltazar grabbed the weekly citation given by print and online media covering the league away from the likes of Ken Tuffin of FEU, Thirdy Ravena of Ateneo, and Senegalese Alex Diakhite of UE.
