Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Andray Blatche averaged 11 points and 11 rebounds for Gilas Pilipinas during the first round of the WCQ

Basketball

Gilas still sticking with Andray Blatche, says team manager Butch Antonio


It will still be Andray Blatche

Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio made it clear that naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche will be back for the second window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in February.

Blatche has yet to attend Gilas practices due to his commitment with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association, but Antonio said that they have already reached out to the said league for his temporary release.

“We have already made communication. We sent a letter already,” said the executive after Gilas’ practice Monday. “Kasi that’s the protocol now eh… You have to write a letter to the team through the CBA and you will just have to wait for their reply.”

It is still uncertain if and when the Flying Tigers will lend the naturalized center to Gilas, who will face Australia and Japan on February 22 and 25, respectively. But Antonio is confident that the ball club will let the former NBA cager go.

“More often than not naman they’ll release him. It’s just a matter of when.

“In our letter we identified pretty much when we start our daily practice, when we hopefully want to have him in, when we plan to leave for Australia and when he comes back and when he gets back to his mother team in China,” said Antonio.

It also helps knowing that the CBA will be on a break during the second window of the Asian Qualifiers next month, as all the teams will be preparing for the league’s playoffs that time.

#ReadMore  Chot Reyes glad to see Andray Blatche arrive in shape

Antonio also allayed fears that Blatche is hurt while in China. Speculations rose early this January, as Blatche has only played in five games for Xinjiang so far.

“No, we were in touch with his agent, parang okay naman siya,” said the long-time Gilas official. “I think he has healed. The last time he played he was coming from that hamstring injury but I have not followed it because we’re busy.

“But I think he’s been playing in the CBA pretty well. And his team has been winning. So that’s good for us.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Strong Group advanced to the final four of the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship after having its way with Morocco’s AS Sale, 92-80, on...

Basketball

Facing their toughest challenge in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship, Strong Group Athletics emerged victorious with a 91-89 win over Al Ahly Tripoli,...

Basketball

Andray Blatche, the seasoned hero from Gilas Pilipinas, played a pivotal role in Strong Group Athletics’ 104-95 conquest over Homenetmen in the 33rd Dubai...

Basketball

Kevin Quiambao and Francis Escandor have proven their worth. The two La Salle stalwarts paved the way in Strong Group Athletics’ impressive 89-67 victory...

Basketball

Dwight Howard and Andray Blatche are set to lead the Strong Group cast in the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship, aiming for redemption following...

19th Asian Games

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas unveiled the initial list of 60 players submitted to the Philippine Olympic Committee Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee last...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Nine years after the iconic ‘Puso to the Max’ campaign by Gilas Pilipinas and Max’s Group, the partnership makes a comeback just in time...

2023 FIBA World Cup

Gilas Pilipinas will not have their big man for the final tournament they will figure in before the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Kai...

Advertisement