Gilas Pilipinas hoping to get Blatche back on board by May

Philippines’ big man Andray Blatche says he’s ready to face Iran on Monday. Photo from Fiba.com

Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio is confident that Andray Blatche will secure his new deal with the team as soon as possible.

“We’re hoping to finalize it hopefully within the week, over the next few days. Hinihintay na lang yung pirma,” he said.

Blatche just wrapped up his season with Xinjiang Flying Tigers, who bowed out to the Sichuan Blue Whales in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) semifinals. He averaged 23.33 points, 10.45 rebounds, 4.05 assists, 2.19 steals in 42 games.

Antonio shared that unlike last season, Blatche is in a much better shape when he returns to the country in May.

“He knows naman and even his handlers say that. We’ve brought that up and confident sila. He’s playing now, putting up good numbers, and we’re just hoping that from here, he’s going through training from the time he gets off from China to meeting us in May,” the team manager said. “I think he’ll be in better shape than last year.”

“We are in touch with the handlers of Andray and we’ve come to terms and hopefully, we seal the deal. Pirma na lang ang hinihintay but it’s 99-percent done,” continued Antonio.

Baldwin, as per Antonio, is hoping to have Blatche back by the second week of May.

“Right now, the plan is to have him at about May 15. Things can change, but based on the plans of coach Tab, it’s May 15.”

That will also coincide with the selection of players from the training pool for the Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

“It’s also good to have him when the players are ready na. The PBA will end on a full route at May 20, so hopefully, by that time, we have regular Gilas practices already,” said Antonio.

Blatche has repeatedly signified his intentions to once again don the national tri-colors, this time with a grander goal of making it to the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.

“The last time we spoke which was many months ago, and pagdating sa Pilipinas, he has already a soft spot for us,” said Antonio. “He said that if we needs him, we just let him know.”