Justine Baltazar grateful to contribute to Gilas 

Four years have passed since Justine Baltazar last donned the Gilas Pilipinas jersey, but the 6-foot-9 Kapampangan has used that time to evolve from a promising college standout into a dominant force in the PBA. 

At his young age, 29, he became a top pick in the league’s draft and part of Converge FiberXers establishing himself as one of the premier centers in local basketball.

Baltazar’s return to Gilas Pilipinas came as a surprise. When Quentin Millora-Brown encountered a contract impasse with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Head coach Tim Cone chose to look within the pool and called on Baltazar to reinforce the frontline, providing the size and inner presence the team might need should other big men become unavailable.

The two-time MPBL MVP said that he did not hesitate, “Hindi na ako nagdalawang-isip. Nagpaalam ako sa boss ko na gusto kong makapag-training ulit dito sa Gilas. ‘Yun naman, pinayagan ako ng management at boss namin sa Converge.”

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Less than a month to go!

Gilas Pilipinas schedule:
February 26 – Thursday
New Zealand
7:30PM pht
MOA Arena
https://t.co/XHq5PsUC9e

March 1 – Sunday
Australia
7:30PM pht
MOA Arena
https://t.co/XHq5PsUC9e

Kitakits mga kababayan!

— Gilas Army (@gilasarmy) February 3, 2026

Despite years apart, the bond with his Gilas batchmates from 2021 remains intact. 

“Kita mo naman na magkakalaban kami sa PBA, pero yung samahan namin dati, nandito pa rin,” Baltazar said.

With Gilas preparing to host New Zealand on Thursday and Australia on Sunday in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, Baltazar knows that size and presence in the paint will be critical.

Gilas Pilipinas heads into this window unbeaten in Group A, carrying a 2-0 record after completing a sweep of Guam late last year.

Yet, his focus remains on contribution rather than roster guarantees. “No. 1 dun role ko, gagawin ko role ko. No. 2 depensa kasi marami scorers dito. Pag pinalad ako bibigay ko 100 percent ko talaga,” he said, reflecting a mindset shaped by years of professional growth and national team experience.

Baltazar’s return is more than a personal comeback — it’s a reminder that dedication, growth, and patience can open doors back to the international stage. 

As Gilas faces some of the toughest opponents, the towering center is ready to bring both his skill and his team-first mentality to the floor.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!