Andray Blatche, who is close to being a naturalized Filipino, laughs as he talks to a reporter on the phone during his press conference. Mark Giongco
MANILA, Philippines — Andray Blatche doesn’t have an ounce of Filipino blood but in just his first several days here, he’s making it seem like Manila’s been his home for quite some time now.
“[Manila] it’s amazing,” said Blatche, who addressed the Filipino media for the first time in a last-minute press conference held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum press room while a game between Rain or Shine and Meralco was on going. “It’s truly a blessing to be in a position as I am to come out here and have the chance to learn the culture.”
“People have been super generous and nice to me. And they welcome me,” said the NBA veteran Blatche, whose Filipino citizenship only needs the signature of President Aquino to be made official.
And Blatche has been reciprocating it with his willingness to embrace the Filipino culture. He answered a reporter’s phone call during the interview and gamely exchanged laughs and even asked the caller “Kumusta (How are you)?”
Asked what he knew about the Philippines, Blatche knew how devoted Filipinos are to the sport.
“The sports of basketball is huge here. It’s puso (heart). It’s in the heart of every Filipino and I love basketball and so it’s like we have the same similarities.”
The 6-foot-11 Blatche also said “it wasn’t a tough decision” to agree and play for the Philippines.
“The opportunity that I’ve been receiving to come out here and represent the Philippines is something that you can only wish for and I’m very thankful to have the opportunity so when they asked me to come I was excited. I talked it over with my mom and my close friends and they have my back 100 percent and I just wanted to be here,” he said.
The 27-year-old Blatche, a key cog for the Brooklyn Nets, doesn’t want to expect anything but for him to show his worth.
“Honestly, somebody asked the same question before. I really had no expectations. I feel like I kind of owe it to the people who worked very hard to get me here, to get me to this position. I gotta come out here and work hard and get wins and play well.”
Blatche will suit up for the country in the Fiba World Cup in Spain this August and the Asian Games in Korea the following month.
“I’m going to Spain and I’m going to come here and play in Korea and we can go from there.”
Blatche has yet to practice with the National team with Gilas resuming its practices only after the PBA season ends in July but the New York native said he and head coach Chot Reyes were able to talk a little bit of “how the offense works.”
Blatche arrived here Sunday and is set to fly back Tuesday night but he only needs those three days to fit in.
“I had to come out here and see my family. I had to see Manny Pacquiao,” Blatche joked as he referred to the eight-time world boxing champion as his cousin. “I’m half Filipino so it made it easy for me to get out here.”