Jason Ballesteros

Jason Ballesteros (born October 7, 1985) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Biñan Tatak Gel of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He was drafted seventh by the Meralco Bolts in the 2011 PBA draft. He has also played for Smart Gilas.

College career 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.

Professional career

Meralco Bolts In 2011, Ballesteros applied for that year's PBA Draft. 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. He was drafted by Meralco Bolts seventh overall in the 2011 PBA draft that also featured his former Smart Gilas teammates. He was given a two-year contract.

Barako Bull 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.

Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants

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. There, he would consistently put up double-doubles and lead his team to a semifinals appearance.

Second stint with Meralco 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.

Mahindra franchise On March 20, 2016, Ballesteros was traded to Mahindra Enforcer for Kyle Pascual. He was cut by the team in 2017.

Third stint with Meralco Ballesteros found his way back to Meralco for a third time. In a 2017–18 Philippine Cup win against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, he had 12 rebounds. He then followed it up with 17 rebounds and played clutch defense against Japeth Aguilar in a win over Barangay Ginebra. Despite being the top-seeded team that season, they were upset by the Zamboanga Sibugay Warriors.

Pasig City / MCW Sports 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. They got eliminated during the North semifinals by the San Juan Knights.

Koponang Lakan ng Bulacan 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. He hit another game-winning free throw against Quezon City for 13 points with nine rebounds.

Second stint with Pasig City Ballesteros returned to Pasig for his 2nd season. He had nine points and 16 rebounds in a win over the Marikina Shoemasters. That season, he was selected as an MPBL All-Star. 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. 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. He was awarded as the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

International career 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.

PBA career statistics

As of the end of 2020 season

Season-by-season averages