Blatche commits to FIBA qualifiers
Naturalized import Andray Blatche has agreed to play for Gilas all the way up to the third FIBA Asia/Pacific qualifying window next year as there will be no conflicts in schedule with his team Xinjiang in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).
That’s the word from Gilas team manager Butch Antonio who confirmed Blatche’s consent the other day. The CBA’s regular season opened last Oct. 28 and will run up to Feb. 11. Then the playoffs are set from March 3 to April 12 with the Finals on April 15 to May 1. Gilas plays Japan in Tokyo on Friday and Chinese-Taipei at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday in the first qualifying window. The second qualifying window will pit Gilas against Australia on the road on Feb. 22 and Japan at home on Feb. 25 while the third will match Gilas against Chinese-Taipei in Taiwan on June 29 and Australia at home on July 2. No CBA games are slated during the second and third windows, allowing Blatche to commit to Gilas. The CBA avoided conflicts in schedule so Chinese national players in the league may also suit up for China in the qualifying windows.
Antonio said under terms of Blatche’s agreement with the SBP, he will be available to train with Gilas at least 10 days before the first game of each window. He was originally scheduled to plane in last Nov. 13 but the arrival was postponed because Xinjiang played Bayi last Wednesday and Guangsha last Friday. Blatche landed here from China early last Sunday morning and attended two Gilas practices later that day to catch up.
Blatche, 31, left with Gilas for Tokyo yesterday. He’ll be on the court to play against Japan and Chinese-Taipei in the first qualifying window. Blatche will leave Manila for China on Nov. 30 and suit up for Xinjiang’s next game the day after.
Gilas head coach Chot Reyes said from all indications, Blatche looks like he’s in game shape. “He put up good numbers in two games in China,” said Reyes. “In terms of playing condition, it’s hard to tell (how close he is to 100 percent) but in terms of assimilating into what we’re doing, 50 percent.”
Blatche said he can’t wait to wear the Gilas uniform again. This will be his fifth stint with the national squad. He made his debut at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain then saw action at the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila and the 2017 SEABA Cup in Manila.
In two CBA games this season, Blatche averaged 26.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.5 blocked shots and 2 steals, hitting 85.7 percent from the line, 81.3 percent from two-point distance and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc. He led Xinjiang to a 95-74 win over Bayi and a 91-86 decision over Guangsha.
After playing in only two games with Xinjiang at the FIBA Asia Champions Cup in Chenzhou last September, Blatche returned to Atlanta to spend time with family. His son Andray, Jr. is seven months old. He also hit the gym to get in shape and left for China in late October. Blatche is on the fourth and final year of his Xinjiang contract.