Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche. Photo by fiba.basketball
FOSHAN, China—Yeng Guiao admits to be disappointed at how Andray Blatche has played in the first two Gilas Pilipinas games in the Fiba World Cup.
Who wouldn’t be?
And had this been on a different setting, in another league, perhaps, the firebrand mentor would certainly not take this sitting down.
READ: Serbian coach thinks Gilas Pilipinas not worthy playing top Euro teams
“Of course I am disappointed,” Guiao said after Blatche couldn’t do anything to help the Filipinos avoid taking the worst blasting by any team in the 32-nation tournament, a 126-67 loss at the hands of Serbia Monday night.
“(But) I don’t want this game—or even the last game (a 108-62 loss against Italy)— get in the way of us playing our last three games,” he said. “I’m sure Andray is disappointed himself. The best way for him to make up, and for the team to make up, is to play well.”
READ: Guiao: Serbia simply ‘too big, too good’ for Gilas
Blatche scored 15 points against the Italians and five against the Serbs, letdown numbers considering that he should be Gilas’ go-to guy.
He owned up to playing without “puso (heart)” against the Italians. He has so far been quiet after his dismal game against the Serbs.
Fans back home have started airing their displeasure at the way Blatche has played.
READ: Andray Blatche takes blame for ‘no puso’ in 46-point loss to Italy
On Sunday, Marcus Douthit, who was the naturalized player in the early years of the Gilas program, had openly batted, through Twitter, for Chris McCullough to be the next naturalized big man for the Nationals.
Team Philippines will still play Angola on Wednesday, with both countries shooting for first victories and avoid the ignominy of being the only side left without a win in Group D.
Blatche can still make up for two lackluster games. And if he does, maybe, just maybe, it could soothe some of the pain basketball-crazy fans back home are feeling.