Altas’ Baloria blames missing practice for woeful game vs Stags

MANILA, Philippines – Perpetual Help swingman Juneric Baloria reached out a helping hand to his father, the incumbent barangay (village) captain in Lanao del Norte in Mindanao, who ran for a final term in the barangay elections last Monday.

Baloria’s dad, though, lost and fell short by 23 votes and adding insult to injury, the explosive scorer was out of tune Tuesday night as the Altas yielded the no.3 spot to the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA Season 89 men’s basketball tournament.

“I wasn’t able to practice with the team for two days (Saturday and Sunday) because I had to help my dad who ran for barangay captain in his last term,” said Baloria in Filipino after scoring just two points – missing all of his 11 shots in 18 minutes – in easily his worst game of the season.

“Coach didn’t want me to go but I begged him to give me permission and help my dad. I played a bad game and coach was really mad,” Baloria admitted.

The five-foot-11 rookie wouldn’t want to promise a better  game but vowed to do everything to get his lethal form back especially with the skidding Altas heading into the Final Four with defending champion San Beda in the way.

“I know I have to do extra work to get my form back,” he said.