Andray Blatche back in beast mode

MANILA, Philippines — After serving his three-game suspension stemming from the Australia fracas at the Philippine Arena last July, Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche is back in beast mode and ready to return to action for the national squad in the final window of the FIBA Asia/Pacific World Cup Qualifiers.

Philippine team coach Yeng Guiao has confirmed that the 6-11 Blatche will be in the pool of 15 for the sixth window where Gilas faces two virtual must-wins against Qatar on Feb. 21 and Kazakhstan on Feb. 24, both on the road. With Blatche back, Guiao will decide whether to include Christian Standhardinger or Stanley Pringle or both in the pool for insurance purposes as the two Fil-foreigners are recognized only as naturalized players by FIBA. Each national squad is allowed only one naturalized citizen although FIBA has given in to exceptions such as in Australia’s case where the Boomers were permitted to line up South Sudan’s Thon Maker and American-Italian Kevin Lisch for the Qualifiers. 

Blatche, 32, would’ve been eligible to play against Iran last Dec. 3 but Guiao opted to suit up Standhardinger instead. Blatche said he would’ve rejoined Gilas if asked. Late last month, Blatche signed a contract to play for the Tianjin Gold Lions in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). Since his arrival, the Gold Lions improved their record from 5-20 to 8-21. Tianjin has won its last three games and is 3-1 with Blatche in uniform. Blatche is averaging 17.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in four outings, shooting 15-of-30 from two-point range and 12-of-27 from beyond the arc.

Last Saturday, Blatche hit 21 points in 29 minutes as Tianjin bowled over Sichuan, 120-110. He shot 64.2 percent from the field, including 3-of-7 from deep. Two days before, Blatche had 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes as the Gold Lions thwarted Nanjing, 110-102. He knocked down 5-of-14 triples.

“I’m coming back and I’m excited,” said Blatche from China in a message through his agency East West Private. “I’m arriving in Manila early February to meet our new coach and adjust to my new teammates and our new system.”

The US-based East West said the SBP reached out early last month to ask if Blatche could play in the sixth window. “Dray has confirmed he will join Gilas against Qatar and Kazakhstan,” said East West. “His agreement with the SBP requires him to be in Manila one week before the first game of the window or when his CBA obligations allow him, whichever is earlier. But for the sixth window, the SBP is asking him to come earlier if it can be managed. Dray is currently working this out as a special concession to ensure he adjusts to the new coach, teammates and system. Dray has a very high basketball IQ so we don’t expect the new system to be a real issue but he also understands that everyone needs to adjust to him being back on the team. That’s why he’s making every effort to come earlier than what the agreement requires. He’s excited and looking forward to winning.”

Blatche would’ve signed to play in the CBA earlier but held out to check if he could rejoin Gilas against Iran.  “When Gilas didn’t include him in the last pool, Dray knew he had to be game-ready for the sixth window,” said East West. “So he’s playing competitively in the CBA to get prepared for competition with Gilas. He’s in kill mode right now and I’ve never seen him look like such a beast.”

East West said Blatche is beyond focused and driven. “He hasn’t been this charged up since he started in the NBA,” East West continued. “Dray was originally not going to play in China this year because he wanted to concentrate on playing for Gilas but since he wasn’t included in the fifth window, he signed up in China because he really wants to be playing basketball. He’s back and in beast mode and all these games and conditioning in China will be great for Gilas because he’ll arrive in better shape and competition-ready.”