Coach Tab Baldwin talking to naturalized player Andray Blatche.
Naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche visibly gained weight when he showed up for Gilas Pilipinas’ first official practice Monday night at Meralco gym.
Blatche, though, showed no concern about being out of shape with still about seven weeks to go before the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship starts.
READ: Blatche attends Gilas’ first official practice
“I just need this month of August and I’m ready. That’s all I need,” the 28-year-old Blatche told reporters.
Blatche, who arrived in Manila late Sunday night, caught up with his former teammates in the Fiba World Cup in Spain last year and also met some new faces on the team.
READ: Photos: Gilas holds first official training after pool announcement
The former NBA player spent most of his time this year in China playing in the Chinese Basketball Association for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
But after the CBA season was over, Blatche said he didn’t had much time to keep his body in game shape having to attend to his ill mother.
“Like I told the guys, most of my time was spent with my mom. She was fighting cancer. I had a lot of time away from basketball because I had to be there for her,” Blatche said.
READ: Andray Blatche back in Manila for Gilas
The 6-foot-11 Blatche was a force to reckon with in the World Cup in his first stint as a member of the Philippine team.
Blatche feels he’ll be able to pick up where he left off against Asia’s best teams come September.
“I feel I’m gonna do the same thing. I’m gonna leave everything on the court.”
Blatche, though, will have to lose the extra pounds to be at his best.
“Just give me this whole month of August and I’m ready,” he repeated. CFC