At the 34 years of age, Josh Urbiztondo is hoping that he finds the second wind of his career abroad. The point guard was signed up by the Singapore Slingers to bolster their lineup for another run at the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL) championship.
The Slingers found a gem last season when their Heritage import Kris Rosales blossomed into a potent threat on offense and a lockdown defender for their squad. They were hoping to get the same output from Alli Austria and then from Rolando Gardner but the two failed to provide the consistent output that head coach Neo Beng Siang was looking for.
With Urbiztondo, the Slingers are hoping to add another leader on the floor for them along with the championship experience. With their guards having some off nights with their three-point shooting, the Filipino-American could also provide some aid.
Urbiztondo was not selected in the in the 2009 PBA Rookie Draft but that did not stop him from trying. He eventually got a call from Sta. Lucia to join their squad and he played well enough to be included in the 2010 All Rookie Team. After the team disbanded, Urbiztondo found himself with the Air21 Express where he started to turn heads with his tenacious defense and ability to hit the long ball.
He notched his career high with the Express at 31 points and shot a solid 36% from the three-point range in the 2010-11 PBA season. Urbiztondo was then scooped up by the B-Meg Llamados where he helped win the 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup championship.
However, as more and more young point guards entered the league, Urbiztondo saw his playing time dwindle. He bounced around in the league as he was traded to Barako Bull then Ginebra then back to Barako Bull. He also played for the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2015-16 season but was waived to make make for younger talent.
The guard was signed by GlobalPort Batang Pier but he struggled to find playing time behind Terrence Romeo and ABL veteran Stanley Pringle, who were running the show.
“The drawbacks really motivated me to work on my game even harder. I just have to focus on my strength which is on the defensive end. I take pride in what I can do on that side, and that just fuels what I can put up on offense.”
That was a line said by Urbiztondo way back in 2011 but it still rings true today.
Back in 2011, what he wanted was an introduction. In 2017, what he wants now is a reminder.
Singapore signed him for one reason: to help them win an ABL championship. They got close last season and are hoping for another shot this year.
The Slingers need a guy like Urbiztondo but the guard also needs a team like Singapore. Currently, his batchmates Japeth Aguilar, Jervy Cruz, and Chris Ross are plying their trade in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. By joining the Slingers, Urbiztondo hopes that he could also showcase his skills on a grand stage instead of just sitting on benches and barely getting minutes.
If there’s anyone who could make this scenario work, it’s definitely Urbiztondo. He never lacked confidence in himself even if his coaches decided to play point guard after point guard ahead of him. The Fireball has blazed his own trail in the PBA before. Now it’s time to blaze a new one abroad.
