Nothing to fear in Asiad even without Blatche, says Gilas’ Aguilar

Japeth Aguilar (center). FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — As it stands, naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche is barred from suiting up in the coming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

And with the strong possibility of the NBA veteran being rendered useless due to an imposed residency rule by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the heavy load now falls on Gilas Pilipinas’ local bigs.

Japeth Aguilar played in only four of five games and averaged just eight minutes per game in the Fiba World Cup but could play a significant role without Blatche.

And the 6-foot-9 Aguilar, whose best game in the World Cup was during a win over a lengthy Senegal side where he scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in 13 minutes, is looking forward to the challenge.

“It will be a big shoes to fill but I think we can compensate in other aspects,” the 27-year-old Aguilar, who arrived in the country Tuesday afternoon, admitted.

Aguilar also hopes Gilas will be able to carry its momentum from its strong World Cup showing to the Asiad which starts on September 19.

The NBA veteran Blatche averaged a double-double in the World Cup and it will take a team effort to fill his void.

Apart from Aguilar, 6-foot-10 June Mar Fajardo and veterans Marc Pingris and Ranidel de Ocampo are also expected to step up to the plate.

With Blatche in the fold, Gilas is considered one of the favorites to bag the gold medal along with Asian champion Iran, defending champion China and host Korea.

“I think as long as we do our job well, wala kaming dapat ikatakot (we have nothing to fear).”

The SBP will make a last-ditch appeal against OCA’s decision of disqualifying Blatche during the delegation registration meeting in Incheon on Thursday and Friday.

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