The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas continues to adjust to the new FIBA calendar
With the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers just a few months away, the SBP is still searching for ways to have a naturalized reinforcement for the tournament, as both Andray Blatche and Christian Standhardinger will have club commitments by then.
“There’s a complication with Andray Blatche because by November he will be playing with his Chinese team,” said Gilas head coach Chot Reyes during the Chooks-to-Go-hosted homecoming for Gilas and Nikko Huelgas.
“We don’t know if his Chinese team is going to allow him to play,” Reyes admitted, as Blatche is still contracted with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.
Moreover, Christian Standhardinger’s campaign with the Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions is set to begin in November as well — the same time when the WCQ begins.
Still, the SBP is still looking for other options, like hiring a full-time naturalized player. And the national federation for basketball is hoping for understanding, as all other nations are also trying to find ways to adjust to the new calendar.
“Sa mga nagsasabi na napakahina namin dahil hindi namin makuha is because eh napakahirap,” Reyes disclosed. “Hindi namin mapaalam si Andray because we need to have something concrete, we don’t have something concrete kasi hindi namin alam kung anong package ang ibibigay namin sa kanya.
“That’s how difficult our situation is. Maybe some of you are saying nagpapa-cute lang kami dahil wala kaming maisagot pero that’s the truth, mahirap ang situation namin.”
