CAGAYAN DE ORO – Hindi na aabot si Andray Blatche para masamahan ang Gilas Pilipinas sa darating na PBA All-Star Games kontra selection ng Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The NBA veteran will arrive May 2, but that’s not going to be a problem, according to Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio.
“Sakto lang,” Antonio told pba.ph. “We’re looking at maybe May 1 or 2,” Antonio said. “It’s in time for the SEABA. By that time, we’re heading back to Manila after finishing the PBA All-Stars by May 1. Knowing Chot (Reyes) he might give that day to the players, so we go back to work full time sa May 2. That’s the target. But everything is OK as far as his commitment to play for SEABA.”
Katatapos lamang rendahan ni Blatche ang kanyang koponan sa Chinese Basketball Association, ang Xinjiang Flying Tigers, na nagkampeon sa nakaraang torneo. Nangangahulugan lamang na magiging maganda ang kundisyon ng dating manlalaro ng Brooklyn Nets kung sasabak siyang muli sa paglalaro sa Gilas Pilipinas sa darating na SEABA Championship sa SMART-Araneta Coliseum mula Mayo 12 hanggang 18.
Blatche has decided to go back to the United States for a short vacation after a long season playing in China, but he remains committed to play for the Philippine national team despite plans made by the squad to get naturalized back up players each time the 6-foot-11 center/forward isn’t available to play for Gilas in major international events.
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Although Blatche will miss the PBA All-Stars, Antonio believes they could bring up to speed the naturalized player’s adjustment to the system being ran by comebacking coach Chot Reyes.
“I was on the line with his handlers Tuesday afternoon. We’re just waiting for the exact date of his arrival,” added Antonio. “I just told them if we can have him earlier, the better. I think we can bring him up to speed, his adjustment on how Coach Chot is running his system. Sanay na rin tayo sa ganyan.”
Si Blatche lamang ang hindi makakalaso sa final 12 line up na bubuuin ni Reyes na maglalaro sa huling araw ng All-Star Week sa Cebu kung saan haharapin ng Gilas ang Visayas All-Stars na gagabayan ni Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
Gilas Pilipinas started the first of the three matches scheduled against the PBA Stars in Cagayan de Oro Wednesday, after which, the national pool members will be playing in Lucena against the Luzon All-Stars then wrap up their campaign against the Visayas All-Stars in Cebu.
