Justine Baltazar of the powerhouse Pampanga Giant Lanterns ran away with the coveted Most Valuable Player award in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Fifth Season.
Boasting of a scoring average of 17.4 points a game and 16.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks, Baltazar was the clear pick to receive the MVP trophy, besting Jhan Nermal of the Bacoor Sstrikers, three-point king Orlan Wamar of the San Juan Knights, Will McAloney of the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards and last year’s choice, Jaycee Marcelino of the Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines.
Baltazar, a former star of De La Salle University who had an uneventful stint with the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the Japan B. League last year, also emerged No. 1 in field goal accuracy with 54.8 percent and minutes played with 31.1.
What distinguished Baltazar, however, was his knack for posting double-double (points and rebounds) performances, making 22 in one stretch en route to a total of 31 in 33 games.
Named to the 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.
Nermal, a former welder and construction worker from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, also bagged the Most Improved Player award.
Other standouts who were recognized at the overfilled Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga, were Adrian Nocum of San Juan as Rookie of the Year, Chris Masaglang of General Santos City as Best Homegrown and Jayson 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.
MPBL founder and CEO Manny Pacquiao awarded the MVP ball to Baltazar while Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes handed out the other awards.
Executive Officer Joe Ramos and Legal Counsel Glenn Gacal also gave out awards.
