Blatche commits to Asiad

MANILA, Philippines — Former NBA center Andray Blatche said the other day he’s committed to play for the Philippines at the Asian Games in Indonesia on Aug. 18-Sept. 2 but will take a short break to go back to the US after the third window of the FIBA Asia/Pacific qualifiers for the 2019 FIBA World Cup then return here to rejoin Gilas.

Blatche, 31, arrived in Manila from his Atlanta home last June 9 and has participated in two Gilas Monday practices so far. According to Gilas team manager Butch Antonio, Blatche has been working out every day with the TNT KaTropa PBA squad and undergoing specialized training with NBA veteran and TNT skills coach Alton Lister and Gilas conditioning coach Dexter Aseron.

“Dray’s conscious about his weight and doesn’t talk about it but from what I see, I think he’s lost about 15 to 20 pounds from the second window of the FIBA qualifiers,” said Antonio. “His legs are noticeably leaner. I know he worked hard to get in shape in Atlanta before coming over.”

Neither Blatche nor his boyhood pal Bryan Extra, who’s in town with him, would comment about the weight loss. When told he looks like how he was in his Gilas debut at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, Blatche just smiled. “I don’t really know about that,” said Blatche. “But I appreciate the notice.” Even Extra was quiet about it, preferring not to call attention to Blatche’s weight. 

Before suiting up for Gilas in the first two FIBA Asia/Pacific qualifying windows, Blatche wore the Philippine jersey at the FIBA World Cup in 2014, the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup in Changsha, the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament in Manila and the 2017 SEABA Championships in Manila. The coming Asian Games will mark Blatche’s debut in the quadrennial event. After the Philippines plays Australia at the Philippine Arena on July 2, Blatche will go back to the US to be with his 1-year-old son Andray, Jr. During a recent PBA game at courtside in the MOA Arena, Blatche was seen blowing kisses to his son on a video phone call.

Gilas will leave for Taipei on Monday to battle Chinese-Taipei in the third window of the FIBA Asia/Pacific qualifiers at the 7,000-seat Heping Basketball Gymnasium on June 29. 

Antonio said Gilas’ final 12-man lineup will come from the pool of 22 submitted to FIBA by the SBP last June 11. Gilas head coach Chot Reyes will turn in the final roster during the technical meeting involving team managers in Taipei on June 28. The 22 players are Calvin Abueva, Japeth Aguilar, Raymond Almazan, Baser Amer, Mac Belo, Blatche, Robert Bolick, Carl Bryan Cruz, JuneMar Fajardo, Jio Jalalon, Allein Maliksi, Gabe Norwood, Kobe Paras, C. J. Perez, Roger Pogoy, Prince Rivero, Ricci Rivero, Terrence Romeo, Troy Rosario, Abu Tratter, Jayson Castro and Matthew Wright.