Jason Ballesteros

Ballesteros played college basketball for the San Sebastian Stags where he became the team's starting center. While playing for San Sebastian, he was known as one of NCAA Philippines' top defensive players, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award twice, in 2007 and 2008. He also made the league's Mythical Five team in his final season in 2008.

In 2011, Ballesteros applied for that year's PBA Draft.{{Cite web |last=Ventura |first=Sid |date=August 18, 2011 |title=36 beat draft deadline, including 7 Gilas cagers |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/36-beat-draft-deadline-including-7-gilas-cagers-141040745.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-SG}} During the PBA rookie camp, he was measured as the second tallest applicant at 6’6 ¼”, but had the longest wingspan at 82 inches.{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2011 |title=D-League, Gilas players stand out at rookie camp |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/24/11/d-league-gilas-players-stand-out-rookie-camp |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=news.abs-cbn.com}} He was drafted by Meralco Bolts seventh overall in the 2011 PBA draft that also featured his former Smart Gilas teammates.{{Cite web |last=Navarro |first=June |date=August 28, 2011 |title=JV Casio, Paul Lee 1-2 in PBA Draft; All Smart Gilas players picked early |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/13775/jv-casio-paul-lee-1-2-in-pba-draft-all-smart-gilas-players-picked-early |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en}} He was given a two-year contract.{{Cite web |last=Belen |first=Reynaldo |date=September 7, 2011 |title=Casio to sign max contract with Powerade; other rookies get deals {{!}} InterAksyon.com {{!}} Sports5 |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/casio-to-sign-max-contract-with-powerade-other-rookies-get-deals |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707231137/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/casio-to-sign-max-contract-with-powerade-other-rookies-get-deals |archive-date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=InterAKTV}}

Weeks before the start of the 38th PBA season, he was traded to Barako Bull in exchange for Carlo Sharma and 3-point bomber Sunday Salvacion.{{ cite news |last=Joble |first=Rey |title=Barako Bull acquires 'project' Ballesteros from Meralco for Salvacion, Sharma |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/barako-bull-acquires-project-ballesteros-from-meralco-for-salvacion-sharma |work=InterAksyon |date=September 11, 2012 |accessdate=March 29, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409050052/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/barako-bull-acquires-project-ballesteros-from-meralco-for-salvacion-sharma |archivedate=April 9, 2016 }}

File:Jason Ballesteros Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants.jpg in 2013]]

In 2013, Ballesteros suffered a knee muscle injury that made him consider retirement for four months. He made his return to basketball with the Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants in the PBA D-League.{{Cite web |last=Lozada |first=Mei-Lin |date=December 26, 2013 |title=After mulling retirement, Ballesteros vows to work his way back to PBA through D-League |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/d-league/after-mulling-retirement-ballesteros-vows-to-work-his-way-back-to-pba-through-d-league |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} There, he would consistently put up double-doubles and lead his team to a semifinals appearance.{{Cite web |last=Dolores |first=Aljo |date=February 21, 2018 |title=The Jason Ballesteros Redemption Project - SLAMonline Philippines |url=http://www.slamonlineph.com:80/jason-ballesteros-redemption-project/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226071942/http://www.slamonlineph.com:80/jason-ballesteros-redemption-project/ |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=SLAM Online PH}}

In February 2014, San Miguel Beermen signed Ballesteros to a two-year deal, but never played a game for them and was released before the Governors' Cup. The Meralco Bolts re-signed him for the rest of the season.

On September 12, 2014, he and Salvacion were sent to Blackwater Elite in a three-way trade involving NLEX Road Warriors and Meralco Bolts. NLEX obtained Blackwater's 2016 and 2017 2nd round pick along with the draft rights for Juneric Baloria. Meralco received Sean Anthony from NLEX via Blackwater as third party.{{ cite news |last=Saldajeno |first=Ivan |title=Anthony to Meralco, Baloria to NLEX in three-team PBA transfer |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2014/09/anthony-to-meralco-baloria-to-nlex-in-three-team-pba-transfer.html |work=Dugout |date=September 12, 2014 |accessdate=March 29, 2016 }}

On March 20, 2016, Ballesteros was traded to Mahindra Enforcer for Kyle Pascual.{{cite news |title=Mahindra, Blackwater swap bigs |url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/news/mahindra-blackwater-swap-bigs/ |work=Fox Sports Asia |date=March 20, 2016 |accessdate=March 29, 2016 }}{{cite news |last=Sacamos |first=Karlo |title=Defense-oriented Jason Ballesteros feels right at home at Mahindra |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/defense-oriented-jason-ballesteros-feels-he-also-has-chance-to-contribute-offensively-for-mahindra-hindi-katulad-sa-blackwater-alam-natin-na-sila-carlo-lastimosa-sila-mike-cortez-pag-na-sa-kanila-na-yung-bola-wala-na |work=Spin.ph |date=March 21, 2016 |accessdate=March 29, 2016 }} He was cut by the team in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=November 8, 2017 |title=Nico Salva headed for Meralco as Ballesteros, Elorde also fail to make KIA cut |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/nico-salva-heading-for-meralco-as-young-wingman-jason-ballesteros-nico-elorde |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}

Ballesteros found his way back to Meralco for a third time.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=December 8, 2017 |title=Meralco signs Ballesteros, eyes Canaleta, Baracael to beef up injury-hit frontline |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/meralco-looking-to-add-kg-canaleta-mac-baracael-to-lineup-after-tapping-ballesteros-salva-from-free-agent-list |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} In a 2017–18 Philippine Cup win against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, he had 12 rebounds.{{Cite web |last=Beltran |first=Nelson |date=February 15, 2018 |title=Bolts trip Fuel Masters, end skid |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2018/02/15/1788025/bolts-trip-fuel-masters-end-skid |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Philstar.com}} He then followed it up with 17 rebounds and played clutch defense against Japeth Aguilar in a win over Barangay Ginebra.

In 2021, Ballesteros played for MisOr–Brew Authoritea in the VisMin Super Cup. He got Player of the Game honors in a win over Basilan BRT in which he had six blocks and 14 rebounds.{{Cite web |last=Valencia |first=Justin |date=December 3, 2021 |title=Ballesteros, MisOr fend off Basilan, take solo lead in VisMin |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/ballesteros-misor-fend-off-basilan-take-solo-lead-in-vismin/226607 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} Despite being the top-seeded team that season, they were upset by the Zamboanga Sibugay Warriors.{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Kapatagan, Zambo Sibugay dispute VisMin Cup title |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/14/21/vismin-cup-kapatagan-zamboanga-sibugay-dispute-title |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=news.abs-cbn.com}}

Ballesteros then played for Pasig City MCW Sports in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He had a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds in an overtime win over the Bacoor City Strikers.{{Cite web |last=Sports |first=Manila Standard |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Pasig trips Bacoor in OT; Bataan, Valenzuela win |url=https://manilastandard.net/?p=314265729 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Manila Standard |language=en-US}} They got eliminated during the North semifinals by the San Juan Knights.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tiebreaker |date=November 12, 2022 |title=MPBL: Nueva Ecija, San Juan forge North Finals showdown |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/mpbl-nueva-ecija-san-juan-forge-north-finals-showdown/255038 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}

In between MPBL seasons, Ballesteros played for Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan in the Pilipinas Super League (PSL). Against the Sta. Rosa Laguna Lions, he made two free throws with .7 seconds remaining to win the game.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tiebreaker |date=December 8, 2022 |title=PSL: Ballesteros clutch as Bulacan stuns Sta. Rosa |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/psl-ballesteros-clutch-as-bulacan-stuns-sta-rosa/257657 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} He hit another game-winning free throw against Quezon City for 13 points with nine rebounds.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tiebreaker |date=January 19, 2023 |title=PSL: JL Delos Santos shines as Bulacan ekes out win vs QC |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/psl-jl-delos-santos-shines-as-bulacan-ekes-out-win-vs-qc/260087 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}

Ballesteros returned to Pasig for his 2nd season. He had nine points and 16 rebounds in a win over the Marikina Shoemasters.{{Cite web |last=Tribune |first=Daily |date=June 29, 2023 |title=Wilson drops 33, powers Warriors |url=https://sports.tribune.net.ph/2023/06/29/wilson-drops-33-powers-warriors/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |language=en-US}} That season, he was selected as an MPBL All-Star.{{Cite web |last=Times |first=Tiebreaker |date=September 16, 2023 |title=Justine Baltazar heads revenge-seeking North vs South in MPBL All-Star |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/justine-baltazar-heads-revenge-seeking-north-vs-south-in-mpbl-all-star/281543 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} He was able to lead Pasig to the playoffs as a fifth seed despite him and Josan Nimes being the only PBA veterans on the team.{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Joseph Emmanuel |date=October 5, 2023 |title=Underdog Pasig City clashes with MPBL giants in playoffs |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/sports/2023/10/05/549979/underdog-pasig-city-clashes-with-mpbl-giants-in-playoffs/ |access-date=January 5, 2024 |website=BusinessWorld Online |language=en-US}} In Game 3 of the first round, he was able to grab 17 rebounds, but they lost to the Caloocan Batang Kankaloo and were eliminated.{{Cite web |last=Alferez |first=Sheila Mae |date=October 21, 2023 |title=Caloocan Advances to MPBL Semi Finals, Beats Pasig - Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League |url=https://www.mpbl.com.ph/caloocan-advances-to-mpbl-semi-finals-beats-pasig/ |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=www.mpbl.com.ph |language=en-US}} He was awarded as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2023 |title=Justine Baltazar is runaway winner of MPBL MVP award |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/justine-baltazar-is-runaway-winner-of-mpbl-mvp-award-a1373-20231128 |access-date=January 25, 2024 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}

Ballesteros played for Smart Gilas, the Philippine national team, and was one of the Smart Gilas' pioneers. Of all the big men from the first Gilas team, he stayed with the team the longest, from its creation in 2008 until 2011, when he was drafted to the PBA.{{ cite news |last=Verora |first=Levi |title=Rajko's original hardworking big men - The Smart Gilas boys Pt. 6 |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/gilas-pilipinas/52572-rajko-original-hardworking-big-men-smart-gilas-boys-6 |work=Rappler |date=March 9, 2014 |accessdate=March 29, 2016 }}

{{PBA player statistics legend}}

As of the end of 2020 season[https://web.archive.org/web/20161114185138/http://www.pba-online.net/profile/Jason-Ballesteros/239/] PBA-Online.net[https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Jason-Ballesteros/Summary/41426#International] Real GM

{{PBA player statistics start}}

|-

| align=left | {{pbay|2011}}

| align=left | Meralco

| 16 || 8.7 || .400 || — || .222 || 2.8 || .1 || .0 || .3 || .9

|-

| align=left | {{pbay|2012}}

| align=left | Barako Bull

| 9 || 10.3 || .300 || — || .500 || 3.9 || .1 || .1 || .8 || 1.9

|-

| align=left | {{pbay|2013}}

| align=left | Meralco

| 3 || 12.7 || .667 || — || .778 || 2.3 || .7 || .7 || .3 || 3.7

|-

| align=left | {{pbay|2014}}

| align=left | Blackwater

| 27 || 14.0 || .518 || — || .667 || 4.4 || .5 || .5 || .7 || 2.4

|-

| align=left rowspan=2| {{pbay|2015}}

| align=left | Blackwater

| rowspan=2|29 || rowspan=2|12.5 || rowspan=2|.575 || rowspan=2|— || rowspan=2|.464 || rowspan=2|4.0 || rowspan=2|.2 || rowspan=2|.2 || rowspan=2|.8 || rowspan=2|2.3

|-

| align=left | Mahindra

|-

| align=left | {{pbay|2016}}

| align=left | Mahindra / Kia

| 32 || 15.5 || .477 ||— || .727 || 4.3 || .2 || .1 || .7 || 1.8

|-

| align=left | {{pbay|2017}}

| align=left | Meralco

| 20 || 11.8 || .538 || — || .800 || 4.1 || .2 || .1 || .6 || 1.8

|-class=sortbottom

| align=center colspan=2 | Career

| 136 || 12.8 || .498 || — || .592 || 4.0 || .2 || .2 || .6 || 2.0

{{end}}

{{reflist}}

• {{FIBA|new_id=192564|name=Jason Ballesteros}}

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{{2011 PBA draft}}

{{MPBL Defensive Players of the Year}}

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Category:1985 births

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