Panlilio confident now Blatche back with Gilas

With naturalized player Andray Blatche in top form, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio is confident that getting the important two wins for Gilas Pilipinas in the sixth and last leg of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers is very much doable.

Both the local basketball federation that Panlilio heads and the Gilas coaching staff led by mentor Yeng Guiao have agreed to tap the 6-10 Blatche for the two crucial games.

“I am personally pleased with what I saw and his preparation for his tour of duty is very encouraging,” said Panlilio in a statement as Gilas Pilipinas revs up for its games with Qatar and Kazakhstan this month.

“I’ve been monitoring his games in China and he is in good basketball shape. I am confident that with Andray on-board, the much needed victories are achievable,” Panlilio added.

Blatche arrived Friday afternoon from China where he is currently playing for the Tianjin Golden Lions, averaging almost 18 points and 10 rebounds with 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game in the Chinese league.

Blatche is practicing with the national team but will return to China on Monday to play two games with his mother team in Tianjin before joining Gilas in Qatar on February 16.

The national team plays Qatar in Doha on February 21 and Kazakhstan in Astana on February 24.