SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — As expected, Justine Baltazar is the Most Valuable Player of the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Fifth Season.

Baltazar, who is widely credited for the rise of the Pampanga Giant Lanterns as the MPBL Northern Conference champions, emerged as the runaway winner of the coveted award against a strong field that included the best and the brightest players in the annual 29-team regional competitions.

The 6-8 Baltazar, who posted league-high averages of 17.4 points, 16. 9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks, received the MVP trophy from no less than MPBL Founder/CEO Manny Pacquiao,
Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes, Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Legal Counsel Atty. Glenn Gacal during colorful ceremony at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

A former star of the La Salle Green Archers, Baltazar highlighted his MVP season by posting double-double in points and rebounds in 31 of 33 games so far this season, including 22 straight games in one stretch.

The 26-year-old pride of Mabalacat, Pampanga also emerged No. 1 in field goal accuracy with 54.8 percent and minutes played with 31.1.

Joining Baltazar in the Mythical First Team are Jhan Nermal of the Bacoor Strikers, 3-point king Orlan Wamar of the San Juan Knights, Will McAloney of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards and last year’s MVP Jaycee Marcelino of Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines.

Nermal, a former welder and construction worker from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, also earned the Most Improved Player award.

Named to the Mythical Second Team were Rob Celiz of Makati, Jheckster Apinan of Batangas, James Kwekuteye of Bacoor, Archie Concepcion of Pampanga and Ryan Paule Costelo of Pasig.

Other awardees were Adrian Nocum of San Juan as Rookie of the Year, Chris Masaglang of General Santos City as Best Homegrown and Jason Ballesteros of Pasig as Best Defensive Player.

Poypoy Actub of Imus was cited as Impact Player of the Year, drawing huge crowds with his aerial acrobatics, highlighted by a record seven-dunk binge against Bulacan in August.

Nueva Ecija’s Jay-R Taganas received his third Sportsmanship award.

Completing the awardees was Executive of the Year Manuel Carlos “Goody” Ilagan, president and CEO of Camaya Coast Beach Properties which sponsors the Bataan Risers.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya