Justine Baltazar, Will Gozum join Strong Group team for Dubai tilt

Justine Baltazar. Photo from B.League

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Power Group continues to expand its roster with the addition of former Japanese B.League import Justine Baltazar, NCAA MVP Will Gozum, and four-time UAAP champion BJ Andrade ahead of the 32nd Dubai International Basketball Championship starting in January. 27 to 5 February.

Coach Charles Tiu revealed that Baltazar and Gozum, players from the College of Saint Benilde, will play for the Philippine squad, which is joined by former NBA cagers Nick Young and Renaldo Balkman.

Strong Group, owned by Ateneo standout Jacob Lao, also signed Season 85 champions Andrade and Inand Fornilos to reunite with Finals MVP Ange Kouame and team up with Sedrick Barefield.

Tiu is excited to coach the 6-foot-7 Baltazar, who recently parted ways with the Hiroshima Dragonflies of Japan’s B League.

“Balti will be big for us, he wasn’t given many opportunities in Japan, but the kid is a good player and I plan to use him as a big winger and a striker, but of course everything remains. It will look like when we start training,” he said. coach Strong Group Gilas Pilipinas cadets.

Baltazar is currently part of the Pampanga G Lanterns in the Pilipinas Super League as he negotiates with the Korea Basketball League.

The Blazers coach said Gozum will have to struggle for minutes, but his time in Dubai will be a valuable experience for his player, who helped St. Benilde reach the NCAA Season 98 Finals.

“Will has to compete with others for minutes. It’s a different ball game and he plays in the same position as an import, but let’s see how he will get it,” said Tiu.

Lao, the young team owner, is happy with his new recruits, especially his college teammates Andrade and Fornillos.

“Balti will finally get a chance to prove himself again in a competitive tournament, so I’m very happy for him. and for other players, it is rare that the team has the reigning NCAA MVP in Will Gozum, the four-time UAAP champion in BJ Andrade, the championship experience of the 3 and D athletics in Inand Fornilos, all champions in. own way and experience that will definitely help the team for them,” said Lao.

“This is a rare opportunity for these players to grow and learn a new style of play internationally. They are all talented individuals who can complement and play specific roles that the team needs,” he added.

The Strong Group is set to announce more players but is still awaiting clearance from the NCAA and UAAP.

The Philippine squad, led by Young and Balkman, is trying to retain the championship title won by Mighty Sports in the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship.

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