Blatche predicts Phl 5 will advance to Rio

MANILA, Philippines - Andray Blatche is convinced Gilas Pilipinas has a realistic chance of making the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics as they loom as title contender in the coming FIBA Asia Championship.

Blatche based his prognosis on his experience playing with  the Chinese and the other Asian stars in the Chinese Basketball Association where he’s a big star with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

“I know a lot of players there. As long as we put the work in, (we’ll be okay against them),” Blatche said.

With the Chinese being mentioned as the top favorites in the Asian joust, Blatche said: “They’re strong and so are we.”

The nine-year NBA veteran is expected to be a dominant force in the FIBA Asia as he was in his first season in the CBA where he averaged 31.1 points, 14.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.8 steals per game.

Blatche looked overweight in appearing at the Meralco Gym Monday night, but no one doubted he would be in shape in time for the Changsha, China meet in September.

“He’s been a whole lot off coming from a long off-season (in the CBA) and that’s natural to happen especially as he’s been caring for his mother and hasn’t have time to get the necessary work done,” said Gilas coach Tab Baldwin.

“But we have time. By September, he’ll be in pretty good shape,” added Baldwin of the Filipino naturalized player who’s been off since February.

Blatche is neither concerned with his current form.

Despite extra poundage, the former Brooklyn Net showed his good moves and shooting touch in Gilas’ first official practice Monday night.

His promise? “I’ll do the same thing (as I did with Gilas in the World Cup), I live on the floor,” he said.

He was among the best performers in the last World Cup where he normed 21.2 points and 13.8 rebounds a game. He collected 18 markers and 14 boards to help the Philippines to their first “WC” win in 40 years, edging Senegal, 81-79, in overtime.

He played so well in his first season in the CBA that he merited a three-year contract-extension deal with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers worth $7.5 million.