Blatche, Standhardinger most efficient in Gilas' FIBA World Cup run

MANILA, Philippines – Thirty-three players served duty to Gilas Pilipinas in its successful campaign in the just-concluded FIBA World Cup qualifiers, with Andray Blatche, Christian Standhardinger and Stanley Pringle emerging as the most efficient in terms of numbers.

Behind the three were Jayson Castro, June Mar Fajardo, Terrence Romeo, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot and Paul Lee.

Gabe Norwood was the lone player that saw action in all 12 games, and the Rain or Shine versatile guard/forward also served as the team skipper.

Japeth Aguilar saw action in 11 games, Fajardo played 10 matches while Matthew Wright, Blatche, Castro, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario, Lassiter, Calvin Abueva, Scottie Thompson and Poy Erram wore the Gilas jerseys in at least five matches each.

Others lending services to Team Philippines were Kiefer Ravena (4), Beau Belga (4), Allein Malicsi (3), Mark Barroca (2), LA Tenorio (2), Kevin Alas (2), Ian Sangalang (2), Asi Taulava (2), Thirdy Ravena (2), Jio Jalalon (2), Raymond Almazan (1), Carl Bryan Cruz (1), Greg Slaughter (1), Arwind Santos (1), Abu Tratter (1) and Baser Amer (1).

Christian Standhardinger was the most efficient with his averages of 23.5 points, 10 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steal. But Team Philippines dropped the two matches where the San Miguel Beer Fil-German center/forward played.

Stanley Pringle was second behind Standhardinger in scoring with his norm of 21.0 points, followed by Blatche (16.0), Castro (14.5), Fajardo (10.8) and Romeo (10.0).

Blatche led the team in rebounds (12.4) and steals (2.0), and curiously placed second to Romeo (5.5) in playmaking with his average of 3.9 assists per game.

Those numbers earned Blatche a 22.9 efficiency rating, next to Standhardinger’s 23.5. Next was Pringle with 17.5, followed by Castro (14.1), Fajardo (11.5), Romeo (11.0) and Lassiter (10.8).

Also with decent efficiency ratings were Cabagnot (9.3), Lee (8.5), Belga (7.8), Kiefer Ravena (7.3), Norwood (7.2) and Aguilar (7.1).

Lee and Barroca are Magnolia teammates that gave Gilas tremendous boost in the backcourt in the final window, and they were thankful they became part of the Gilas success.

“China World Cup here we come, at iba ang feeling ko ngayon kasi kasama ako sa nagpagod sa pagkuha nito. Kasama ako sa Spain (2014 World Cup) pero hindi ako kasama noon sa nagpagod sa qualifiers,” said Lee, then just a replacement to Larry Fonacier who begged off from the Spain trip.

“Fortunately, I also became part of this. We came up short in my previous stint with the national team,” said Barroca, a member of the original Gilas team that placed fourth in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.