Blatche back in Philippines to prepare for WC qualifiers
For a change, Andray Blatche is early for the Gilas Pilipinas training, flying in Friday – three days ahead of his supposed Feb. 12 arrival.
Blatche looked well in shape and ready to make good on his vow to make up for a lackluster showing the last time as he appeared at the Big Dome last night.
The Gilas naturalized player apologized to his teammates for his poor showing in the Philippines’ 90-83 win over Chinese Taipei in the first window of the FIBA Asia Olympic qualifier last November. He made only two of nine fieldgoal tries then, missing all five attempts from the arc.
He said he’s excited with their matchup with Australia on Feb. 22 in Melbourne where the Nationals and the Boomers clash in a duel of joint leaders in Group B play.
“We have to work hard as a team, use our strengths, our quickness, our outside shooting. I feel we have a good chance. I’m super excited,” said Blatche.
The Gilas pool starts its daily practices for the second window of the Olympic qualifiers tonight at the Meralco Gym.
“I can’t wait for tomorrow (today). I’m going to have dinner with coach Chot tonight and after that, get me a good rest for tomorrow’s practice,” Blatche said.
He’s thankful to his Chinese league ball club, Xinjiang, for allowing him to fly to Manila a little earlier.
“I try to come here, get used to the ball. My team allowed it. It’s a different ball so I try to shoot with that ball again,” he said.
The 6-foot-11 behemoth had his shootaround session by himself at the Meralco Gym Saturday.
And he showed up at the Big Dome last night to watch Gilas teammates Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas.