Andray Blatche mulls retirement after Strong Group run in Dubai

Former Gilas Pilipinas player Andray Blatche is in attendance during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Andray Blatche floated the idea of retirement on Saturday night while he was in attendance for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Blatche was one of the spectators in Pasay for the bout between TNT and Converge where Tropang Giga would eventually win, 98-96.

The former Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player is also in Manila to train with Strong Group Athletics for the upcoming Dubai International Basketball Championship.

READ: Former Gilas center Andray Blatche tweets desire to play in PBA

That upcoming Dubai tournament may determine some things for Blatche heading forward, particularly on the topic of hanging up his shoes.

“I’m getting to the age where it’s almost over,” bared Blatche with reporters during TNT and Converge’s matchup.

“At this point, this might be my last show this year, actually. If anything’s next, it’ll be a little bit of coaching or something in that area.”

READ: Andray Blatche decries ‘very unprofessional way’ Gilas left him

Should the Dubai run with SGA be Blatche’s last hurrah, he would leave a rousing resumè on his way out.

Before being beloved by the Filipinos during his run with Gilas in 2015, he made a name for himself in the NBA after having played nine years in the league for the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards.

He also played in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) where he was a two-time All-Star and a one-time league champion with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

Now, Blatche may be reaching the swan song of his professional career with the Philippine side-SGA later this month and he’ll be doing it with one of his fellow basketball journeymen DeMarcus Cousins.

“Me and him played a lot together back when we were younger, in high school,” said Blatche.

“I feel like it’s going to be tough to cover us because definitely, we both can shoot, we both can handle the ball and make smart passes,” added Blatche.