Andray Blatche decries ‘very unprofessional way’ Gilas left him off roster

Naturalized center Andray Blatche expressed his disappointment over his non-inclusion in the Gilas Pilipinas roster for the upcoming window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

In a lengthy statement released through Theia sports, Blatche said that he was looking forward to rejoining Gilas Pilipinas after his three-game suspension even declining offers from China teams to put his full focus on the national team.

“I didn’t sign in China this season despite several offers because I wanted to be fully available for Gilas and not have to deal with my Chinese team deciding when I could leave to join Gilas practice!” said the former NBA player. “I’ve kept myself in shape and game ready for the December 3 game.”

But under new head coach Yeng Guiao, Blatche wasn’t called up to the national team pool for the fifth window with the seasoned mentor opting to use Stanley Pringle and Christian Standhardinger as naturalized players.

Blatched decried the “very unprofessional” way by which Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas supposedly handled the situation, saying he only found out that he wasn’t included in the roster through news reports.

“No one from the SBP actually communicated with me or my international agents before the news was released. I think it was a very unprofessional way to handle someone like me who has so much invested in the Gilas program,” he said.

Blatche, who was granted Filipino citizenship in 2014,  said he was “very hurt” but how he was “careless discarded” by SBP.

He even went on to say that he is starting to wonder whether the “loyalty and passion to win” that he has shown as a full-fledged Filipino is being “reciprocated,” believing that he’s been a factor in getting Gilas Pilipinas to a position to advance to the World Cup.

“I wish I was there to make sure we win. I’d like to think that I was instrumental along with Coach Chot and my teammates in bringing the team to where it is now and I am invested in my adopted country winning and getting to the World Cup.

Guiao earlier said that he is experimenting his Gilas Pilipinas rosters without Blatche, wanting to preserve the chemistry the team has built since against for the 2018 Asian Games where he first took over as coach to replace long-Chot Reyes.

The Filipinos are set to face the visiting Kazakhstan on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena before battling Iran on Monday.

Blatche, though, kept his doors open and said that he is ready to return to national duty any time the team needs him to.

“I love the PHILIPPINES and especially Filipino basketball fans and am proud to have a Philippine passport and I will always be available should my adopted country need me in any capacity.”