Blatche expected to return to the Philippines and lead them at Asian Qualifiers

MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Naturalized center Andray Blatche is set to arrive soon to strengthen the Philippines national team that will play at the Asian Qualifiers.

Ever since first playing for Gilas Pilipinas at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2014, the 2.11m Blatche has been a major factor in the Philippines' rise in the Asian and World basketball stages. He gives the team much needed size and versatility, especially against other squads that may have a lot of size and physicality.

National team head coach Chot Reyes expected Blatche to arrive on 12 November, but in a recent social media post on 13 November, the former NBA player stated he will be rejoining his Filipino brothers soon.

Blatche last played for Gilas at the SEABA Championship 2017 earlier this year, averaging 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game and leading the charge as the Filipinos swept all six of their assignments. The New York City native, however, missed the FIBA Asia Cup 2017, where the Philippines chose naturalized Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger to man the middle instead. Consequently, the Filipinos failed to make the Asia Cup Semi-Finals for the first time since 2009.

Blatche's presence will be a welcome addition to Gilas Pilipinas, who have been on scramble mode as they prepare for their Asian Qualifiers matches against much improved Japan and dangerous Chinese Taipei. The Philippines national team, in fact, recently absorbed a shock loss to a local club team, prompting Reyes to dispel any impression of invincibility or even readiness. He has since taken the team outside of the capital in an effort to re-establish team chemistry.

After loss to Alab in a tuneup, Gilas Pilipinas will focus on working on rebounding, playing defense, among others. Team en route to Tagaytay for a 3-day camp. @News5AKSYON pic.twitter.com/IjnwOvgqxO

— Fraulein Olavario (@frauey) November 13, 2017

"I didn’t even talk to them after the game," Reyes told local media after their loss. "Chemistry is only chemistry when things are clicking, but if things are not clicking, then there’s no chemistry to speak of."

Reyes and the rest of Gilas are hoping Blatche can still catch up to their out-of-town retreat, and they are certainly banking on his talents to tip the odds in their favor against the Japanese and Taipei units, who will be reinforced by their own naturalized players in Ira Brown and Quincy Davis respectively.

The Philippines first clash with the Akatsuki Five on 24 November at the Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo before returning home to host Chinese Taipei at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

FIBA