Philippines’ big man Andray Blatche. Photo from Fiba.com
The last time with a month to go before the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship, Andray Blatche reported for duty as part of Gilas Pilipinas nowhere near in tiptop shape.
Blatche, who was still instrumental in leading the Philippines to a silver medal finish after losing to host China in the final despite being overweight, is back in town and unlike that night in August of last year when he showed up out of shape, he seems to have lost several pounds this time around in his return.
Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin also noticed a different-looking Blatche on Saturday when the team welcomed the former NBA veteran.
“He looks good. He seems happy, he seems ready to go,” Baldwin told reporters during the unveiling of Gilas’ new uniforms by Nike at Kerry Sports inside Shangri-La at the Fort.
“Kanina nakita ko, mas maganda nga katawan niya (Blatche) ngayon. Kinamusta ko siya, sabi niya ‘Come on. Let’s get this gold,” said national team mainstay Jeff Chan.
Blatche will skip practice Saturday after arriving in Manila just Friday night, as per Baldwin.
“He’s tired, you know, obviously, after a long trip, all of us are tired after a long trip. So, I don’t know, he’s very enthusiastic. He’s not gonna go today (Saturday). We’re not gonna let him go today,” Baldwin said. “I want him to get over the trip and get his legs under him, feel good. But tomorrow morning he’ll go as good as he feels and I talked to him, by Monday we think he should be ready to go full speed.”
What Baldwin can’t tell yet, however, is whether or not Blatche is in game shape.
“Can’t judge that. I mean, he looks better and He seems more, you know, have a little more of a light in his eyes so we’ll see until we get out there and start running around.”