Big Blatche blows into town

WALKING TALL Andray Blatche, 2.1-meter (6-11) center of the Brooklyn Nets in NBA, arrives at Naia to help Gilas Pilipinas in its campaign in Fiba World Cup in August in Spain. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Andray Blatche, an eight-year NBA veteran recently naturalized to play for Gilas Pilipinas in two major international tournaments this year, arrived in the country for the first time yesterday to perk up the spirits of this cage-crazy nation even more.

The 6-foot-11 center of the Brooklyn Nets, whose naturalization was approved recently by both houses of Congress, will start playing for Gilas when it sees action for the first time in more than 40 years in the Fiba World Cup in August in Spain.

“He’s here,” Gilas coach Chot Reyes said on his Twitter account @coachot yesterday.

The bill is awaiting the signature of President Aquino, though this early, the Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas can now include Blatche’s name in its official roster, not only for the World Cup but also for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, in September.

After meeting with basketball patron and business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, Rep. Roberto Puno and Sen. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara over lunch of Filipino delicacies, Blatche made an appearance at the Sports5 Center program to address local fans for the first time.

Puno and Angara were the main proponents of the bill granting Filipino citizenship to Blatche.

Reyes also appeared in the program and was obviously excited in having Blatche, who will take the place of Marcus Douthit in the squad.

“So glad to see the future of Philippines @coachot and mr blatch together,” Douthit wrote on his Twitter account @marcusdouthit shortly before the Sports5 program.

Blatche has impressive career numbers in the NBA. After entering the league as the 49th overall pick by the Washington Wizards in 2005, Blatche has averaged a shade over 10 points in close to 600 games.

He ended his season after helping the Nets reach the Eastern Conference semifinals, eventually bowing to LeBron James and the defending champion Miami Heat.