Justine Baltazar set for Korea debut after committing to Seoul Samsung

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Former Gilas Pilipinas young cadet and De La Salle University (DLSU) superstar Justine Baltazar will be taking his hoops talent to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) after multiple reports confirmed his commitment to the team.

In a development first announced by Tiebreaker Times and Manila Bulletin, the versatile combo forward is hoping for a better outing in Korea after a disappointing stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B. League.

Baltazar was tapped by the Japanese basketball club in hopes of turning their fortunes around in the ongoing season but the Filipino Asian import only played in just eight games.

After Hiroshima released Baltazar during the mid-season of the Japan B. League, he went home to the Philippines to play for Pampanga in the PSL and was later on acquired by the Jacob Lao-owned club Strong Group for the 2023 Dubai Invitational tilt.

Baltazar will be teaming up with former NBA stalwarts Nick Young and Renaldo Balkman as well as collegiate stars Ange Kouame, BJ Andrade, and Will Gozum.

It is yet to be announced how will Baltazar juggle his international stints and his KBL debut. However, the Filipino swingman needs to be in Korea by February 2, the last schedule for all teams to field in all of their imports.

Seoul Samsung is the same basketball team that tried to recruit former Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) two-way star William Navarro several months ago.

However, the deal was never materialized after it was found out that Navarro is still under contract with the SBP until March 2023 and has played all FIBA windows under the men’s national team.

Multiple sources added that an appeal was made regarding the situation but the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) denied it and clarified that Navarro will have to finish his contract with SBP first.

If Navarro’s trip to Korea will be a success, he will be joining Rhenz Abando, SJ Belangel, RJ Abarrientos, Justin Gutang, and Dave Ildefonso on the Asian import list.