Naturalized center Andray Blatche practiced with Gilas Pilipinas for the first time since arriving in Manila on Friday. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Andray Blatche on Sunday hit the court with Gilas Pilipinas for the first time this year and national team head coach Tab Baldwin couldn’t be any happier with what he saw.
“He’s good,” said Baldwin of the naturalized center, who arrived in Manila on Friday. “It’s a different Andray than last year.”
READ: Baldwin says Blatche ‘looks good’ as he rejoins Gilas
And it seems like the Syracuse, New York native didn’t miss a beat, getting himself back in the groove with his old teammates.
“The great thing about Andray is his attitude. He really does love this group of guys and he loves this environment,” Baldwin noted.
Baldwin is happy to have someone like Blatche, who is eager to lead the Philippines in the Fiba Olympic qualifying tournament here in July where a spot in the Rio Olympics is at stake.
“Two years ago, we had a great player. Last year, we had a guy who’s out of shape but still gave everything he had. This year, he’s in good shape. He’s not in peak condition, but we got five weeks to get him there,” he said.
Blatche took criticisms last year after showing up in practice out of shape two months before Gilas Pilipinas competed in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship in China. Despite his weight issues, Blatche was still able to help the team finish with the silver medal.
READ: Overweight Blatche back to boost Gilas Olympic bid
But this time, Blatche knows he can’t leave anything to chance with the country up against some of the world’s best in the qualifiers.
“He’s obviously done the work at home. There’s no waiting around for him,” Baldwin said. “We’re moving forward. He’s good, his commitment is where it’s always at, and he’s just gonna get better and we’re gonna get better.”