Heading into Monday night’s 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers clash with the visiting Chinese Taipei, Andray Blatche is wishing for one thing: much better shooting from SMART Gilas Pilipinas from the floor.
This call by the naturalized 6-foot-11 slotman comes after he and the Filipino dribblers had shot a horrid 38 percent from the floor in their 77-71 victory over the Akatsuki Five of Japan, last Friday at the Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo.
“They’re probably thinking we’re gonna miss a lot of shots but hopefully not,” said the 31-year-old after Gilas’ practice Sunday at the Meralco Gym. “Hopefully, we’ll be focused and hit the shots and play at a much higher level than Japan.
“We had a good job on defense, but we missed a lot of open shots and we got to look on that if we want to get better.”
Blatche had 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting with 12 rebounds in SMART Gilas’ win, but he looked slow in some stretches. Asked if he will be more assertive on Monday, he said that it will all depend on the situations.
“If I get the ball and I see they double me, I have to pass the ball to the open man and hope he hits the shot. Or if I see them struggling, if I have to take over, be aggressive, and try to get to the rim all the time, I will. It always depends,” he said.“The number one thing on my mind is the win, not to go out there and get a bunch of points.
“It’s about winning and playing the game the right way.”
