Asiad body set to disqualify Blatche, Dillinger, Norwood?

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Olympic Committee has received a letter from the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) questioning the eligibility of naturalized player Andray Blatche and Fil-Am players Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger for the coming Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.

The IAGOC communiqué is inquiring whether the three have met the Asiad three-year residency rule for the quadrennial meet with all three submitting new Philippine passports.

This may put in danger Blatche’s supposed stint in the games since his naturalization was passed by the Philippine legislature and Malacañang only this year.

There may be no problem in the cases of Norwood and Dillinger who have long been residents of the country. And both have represented the country in FIBA Asia meets.

Questions on Blatche’s eligibility have long been the topic of discussion, but Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes was confident the NBA veteran would be cleared to play.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas believed such rule applied only to naturalized players who have previously represented another country in overseas competition.

However, POC and PSC officials said they have been advised by a top official of the Olympic Council of Asia that Blatche is not eligible.

“I met with an OCA official, the first time we sat down, OK (siya na makalaro si Blatche) kasi may Philippine passport na,” said PSC chairman Richie Garcia as quoted by Spin.ph.

“Pero a day or two later, tumawag yung official from China, who is also with OCA, and he said na he (Blatche) is not qualified,” Garcia also said.

Apparently, SBP is ready to submit a position paper on the eligibility issue to the POC, which will represent the body in the screening proceedings.

Garcia, in his capacity as the country’s chef de mission in the Incheon Games set to start Sept. 19, vowed to appeal Blatche’s case during the delegation registration meeting on Sept. 11.

The SBP, quoting both the FIBA and IOC rules on eligibility, said there is no “residency” requirement under FIBA eligibility rules. Also , acccording to the Olympic Charter,  a competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he may elect.

If the appeal is disapproved, Gilas Pilipinas would be playing with a crippled lineup since submission of final lineups had lapsed last Aug. 15. Changes will only be allowed in cases of injuries and medical matters.

Before naming his Final 12 for the FIBA World Cup, Reyes submitted his roster for the Asiad composed of Blatche, Norwood, Dillinger, Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, LA Tenorio, Jeff Chan, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar and Junmar Fajardo.

Cut were Marcus Douthit, Jimmy Alapag, Jay Washington and Beau Belga.