Photo from Fiba.com
Naturalized center Andray Blatche took the blame for Gilas Pilipinas’ brutal loss to Italy Saturday at the start of the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.
Playing in his second straight World Cup, Blatche is expected to lead the Philippines’ fight from the get-go.
But it wasn’t the case in the country’s opening game against Italy, which ripped Gilas apart, 108-62, in Group D play.
Blatche went on to criticized himself for Gilas’ lethargic play.
I take 100% responsibility in that game no energy or puso that’s on me no excuses i owe better to all of you
— andray blatche (@drayblatche) August 31, 2019
The 6-foot-11 Blatche had 15 points and 10 rebounds but hurt his team more with nine turnovers.
The former NBA veteran hopes to have a much better showing on Monday night when Gilas takes on gold-medal favorite Serbia, which is coming off a 46-point demolition of Angola.