Justine Baltazar rejoins Strong Group for Dubai tilt

Justine Baltazar will look to complete a redemption tour in the upcoming 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship when he makes his return for Philippine team Strong Group later this month.

The squad announced the development on Monday night as the 6-foot-9 big man is poised to form a deadly core alongside Andray Blatche and imports Dwight Howard, Andre Roberson, and McKenzie Moore with Charles Tiu serving as the head coach.

Baltazar, who was part of the Philippine squad in the previous edition of the tournament, will be looking to have a deeper run this time around after a quarterfinals exit in the 2023 edition, where they fell prey to powerhouse Al Riyadi of Lebanon, 106-97.

Baltazar is coming off a championship run with the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the fifth season of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), where they swept Bacoor to claim the title. In carrying his hometown squad, Baltazar also copped the MVP plum.

He will reinforce the locals led by reigning UAAP MVP Kevin Quiambao and other collegiate stars JD Cagulangan, Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez, and Francis Escandor.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News