Justine Baltazar pulls out from PBA Draft

Justine Baltazar has officially pulled out his name from the PBA Season 47 Draft

The La Salle star was projected as a top-three pick.

League commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed the development during the Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

“Nag-withdraw siya, may letter na binigay sa’tin kanina na pormal niyang wini-withdraw ang paga-apply niya sa draft this year,” said Marcial.

Baltazar received a lucrative offer from Japan B.League, and his camp is unsure whether he could return to the PBA after the season.

“Sabi ko para ‘di maipit ‘yung bata, ‘di maipit ‘yung team, nagkausap kami ng maganda na mag-Japan muna siya tapos tsaka siya bumalik ‘pag okay na," Marcial explained.

“Sabi niya, ‘Sige.’ So gumawa ng letter na nagpapa-excuse nga dahil baka maipit nga ang team na kukuha sa kanya pati siya, pati PBA. Naging fair naman siya sa lahat. So, okay naman sa atin."

Baltazar, who also played for Gilas Pilipinas, led La Salle to its first UAAP Final Four appearance in 2017.

The three-time Mythical Team member averaged 12.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 block in Season 84.