Blatche shrugs off ankle injury, ready to go vs Iran

Philippines’ big man Andray Blatche says he’s ready to face Iran on Monday. Photo from Fiba.com

CHANGSHA CITY, China – There was a scary sight early in the second quarter for Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday – Andray Blatche sprawled on the floor after twisting his right ankle in a tight offensive play.

After a narrow 73-66 escape act against Japan in the Fiba Asia Championship here, had one not seen the heavy tape around Blatche’s ankle, no one would have an idea that Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized center played through much pain from the second quarter on Sunday night.

“Yeah, I’m good, just a little strained,” Blatche said while joking around with teammates in the parking lot and waiting to board the team bus. “I just need to get some rest for tomorrow (Monday).”

Blatche still went on to finish with 18 points and 10 rebounds in just over 22 minutes, but the fight he showed in playing through pain only endeared him to his teammates more.

“It’s the kind of injury that you get to know more of in the morning,” guard Gabe Norwood said. “But he came back for us (on the floor) and helped us in the endgame. He wants this badly.”

“Yeah, [I] definitely played through pain,” the former Brooklyn Net in the NBA told the Inquirer. “I have to help them (my teammates) fight and get this win. We’re in the second round and every game counts for us.”

Asked if he will be ready for Hamed Haddadi when the Filipinos square off against defending champion Iran on Monday, Blatche said: “Yeah, I’m good.”