SBP: Blatche will play for Gilas
Philippines’ centre Andray Blatche gestures during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group B match Philippines vs Puerto Rico at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Sevilla. AFP File Photo
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has allayed fears of an Andray Blatche no-show for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming 2015 Fiba Asia Championship.
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said the 6-foot-11 naturalized center has a live contract to honor with Gilas, including suiting up for the national team in the Asian Championship in Changsha, Chinalate September.
READ: Blatche back for Gilas in Fiba Asia
The Asian tournament set Sept. 23-Oct. 3 offers the lone continental ticket to next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m one of the signatories on the Blatche contract and I’m confident that he will honor the commitment,” said Barrios during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum Tuesday at the Shakey’s Malate.
Blatche, who played for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA, recently signed a lucrative $7.5-million pact with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association.
READ: Gilas center Blatche to sign richest contract in China, says report
Earlier reports stated that Blatche’s team in CBA is not releasing the Syracuse native for national team duty.
He averaged 31 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and three steals during the previous CBA season with the Flying Tigers. Blatche is expected to arrive in Manila on Aug. 1 to join the training of Gilas.
“It’s a closed case. In fact, we’re already looking for a house where Blatche could stay,” said Barrios in the weekly supported by Accel, Pagcor and San Miguel Corp.
From among the names being considered, Barrios said only Blatche, who played for Gilas in the Fiba World Cup last year, is assured of being in the final roster.
He said June Mar Fajardo, who Gilas coach Tab Baldwin also named as a shoo-in, is nursing an injury and hasn’t made any commitment to the national five yet.
Fajardo, the 6-foot-10 reigning two-time MVP from San Miguel Beer, is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
“He has to get himself checked and make the decision,” said Barrios.
Gilas will open its training camp Wednesday. Barrios said the list of aspirants was already pruned down to 15 to 16 players from a 26-man lineup.
The national team is expected to hold trainings here in the country and in Europe after the announcement of the pool on Monday. Randolph Leongson, INQUIRER.net/CFC
