Strong Group beefs up lineup with Jordan Heading, Justine Baltazar

FILE – Gilas Pilipinas’ Jordan Heading. Photo from Fiba

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine side Strong Group further added up to its roster with the inclusion of two more impact players in Jordan Heading and Justine Baltazar.

Heading, who once played for Gilas Pilipinas, is joining an already-stacked lineup that has NBA veterans Andray Blatche, Andre Roberson and Dwight Howard.

Heading is coming off an impressive season with Nagasaki Velca in the Japanese B.League with norms of 13.4 points, 3.6 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.1 steals per outing.

READ: Dwight Howard says PH Strong group team can beat Pistons

“We really needed another guard and shooter. I think Jordan fits the bill. It will be my first time working with him, but we gave him a call, and he was interested to come. Very easy to talk to, and we look forward to having him on our team,” said Strong Group coach Charles Tiu.

“He played great in Japan last season, and I’m sure he will end up there again after this short stint.”

Baltazar, meanwhile, is adding to the team’s growing pool of big men which already has fellow La Sallian and UAAP Season 86 MVP Kevin Quiambao.

Like Quiambao, Baltazar also won a season MVP award in the MPBL after willing the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to the title.

The Pampanga-native averaged 17.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.1 blocks a night.