Joshua Emile Doherty Urbiztondo (born February 27, 1983) is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player. He last played for the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas of the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).[1]
Amateur career
Urbiztondo played for Fresno-Pacific University in his final years of college.[2] It was there where he gained a reputation as a scorer.[2]
In the summer of 2008, Urbiztondo left the States to play in the PBA D-League.[2] There, he led his team to a championship victory, got named to the "Top Five Mythical Team", was named Top Defensive Player, was the consensus number one performer, and was poised to be a high pick in the upcoming PBA Draft.
PBA career
Sta. Lucia Realtors
In 2009, Urbiztondo entered the draft for the PBA, but was not selected.[3] He was later signed by the Sta. Lucia Realtors. In 2010, the Realtors were replaced by the Meralco Bolts. In August 2010, the newly founded team gave away Urbiztondo and its number 3 pick in the 2010 PBA draft to the Air21 Express, in a three-way deal that brought Mark Cardona to the Bolts.[4]
Air 21 Express
In 2011, he earned the nickname "Fireball" after going for 31 points in a game while playing for Air21.[5]
On August 25, 2015, he along with Jens Knuttel was traded to the Barako Bull Energy for Nico Salva and a future first round pick.[13]
Return to Barako Bull franchise
In a game against the Bolts during the 2015–16 Philippine Cup, Urbiztondo scored 13 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter to give Barako Bull the win.[14] He also had 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists in that game.[15] Before the start of the 2016–17 season, he, along with young point guard Mark Cruz, were released from the team.[16]
Globalport Batang Pier
Urbiztondo was then signed by the Globalport Batang Pier, who had to relegate Karl Dehesa to the reserve list to make room for him.[17] He played in only eight games for them in the Philippine Cup before being released.[18]
After the ABL season, Urbiztondo was signed once again by Globalport, who needed his services after loaning Terrence Romeo to the national team.[18] This would be his last time playing for a PBA team.
ABL career
Singapore Slingers
After his first stint with Globalport, Urbiztondo became the Heritage Import of the Singapore Slingers.[19] The Slingers made it to the 2017 finals.[20] In game 1, he hit a finals-record seven three-pointers, breaking the previous record of five.[21] He had 23 points in that game, and the Slingers won that game.[21] But then they lost the next three games, and the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions won the championship.[22]
Alab Pilipinas
Urbiztondo returned to the ABL to play for Alab Pilipinas, which he had defeated in the semis the previous year.[23] His team won the 2017–18 title over the Mono Vampire.[24] The team failed to defend the title the following season, losing to the Hong Kong Eastern Basketball in the quarterfinals.[25] At the end of that season, Urbiztondo announced his retirement from basketball.[26]
Personal life
His father is Filipino and his mother is American.[3] He is currently an assistant coach for the high school basketball team of San Joaquin Memorial.[27]
.jpg)