Andray Blatche in Philippines National Team 2014

[Kings]

PPG: 21.2
RPG: 13.8
APG: 0.8
SPG: 1.6
BPG: 0.8

1st FIBA World Cup

L Croatia: 28pts, 12reb, 1stl.
L Greece: 21pts, 14reb, 1ast, 3stl.
L Argentina: 14pts, 15reb, 2stl, 2blk.
L Puerto Rico: 25pts, 14reb, 2ast, 1stl, 2blk.
W Senegal: 18pts, 14reb, 1ast, 1stl.

[toikins]

PPG:
BPG:
APG:
SPG:
BPG:

5th FIBA Asia Cup

vs Chinese Taipei:
vs Jordan:
vs Singapore:
vs Uzbekistan:

1st FIBA World Cup

vs Croatia:
vs Greece:
vs Argentina:
vs Puerto Rico:
vs Senegal:

17th Asian Cup

he will not play in FIBA Asia cup.
only in the world cup

[bballcrazy]

Anyone feels sad for douthit though? He was an important player in fiba asia and 100% deserves to go to spain but Blatche being an NBA "star" gets the
shortcut to playing in the worlds.

[kerouac82]

Anyone feels sad for douthit though? He was an important player in fiba asia and 100% deserves to go to spain but Blatche being an NBA "star" gets the
shortcut to playing in the worlds.

It's not an automatic pass for Blatche. Douthit is a true professional and will prove that he still deserves to be in the roster while acknowledging Blatche's advantage in terms of youth. Besides, Douthit is coming on in years and won't likely play for the Philippines after 2014 or 2015.

[durden_tyler]

Anyone feels sad for douthit though? He was an important player in fiba asia and 100% deserves to go to spain but Blatche being an NBA "star" gets the
shortcut to playing in the worlds.

Not sad but more pity.

Then again, talent should ultimately decide your status in any team. Obviously, Blatche is the more talented player and more importantly a better fit with Chot and DDO.

He is still an expensive practice player so there's that.

[Bonifacio]

Not sad but more pity.

Then again, talent should ultimately decide your status in any team. Obviously, Blatche is the more talented player and more importantly a better fit with Chot and DDO.

He is still an expensive practice player so there's that.

Im sure he would still goto Spain...maybe not as a player but as assistant coach or in some other capacity

[-«miron»-]

Im sure he would still goto Spain...maybe not as a player but as assistant coach or in some other capacity

he will be in spain as a practice player just like some gilas players that will be replaced by new players from the pool.

[weward]

Douthit is no longer performing at the top of his game. Father time caught up with him.
Its just a simple transition...and besides...i will cut it now. the issue might get bigger. lol

[Alex07]

Blatche playing 4 for Gilas

Sayang, If only Slaughter was allowed by SMC to play for Gilas Blatche could play 4, Junmar can be our lead big and Blatche will be playing forward, Slaughter and Japeth can come in as backup..we could go really big havinng a 6'11 power forward (Blatche's natural position) and a 6'10 center (Fajardo), Ranidel and Pingris should learn to defend the wings at the short period of time.

Now why Blatche as 4? the guy always plays face-up on offense,the guy has a decent perimeter game for an NBA big and actually has good ball handling skills for his size.It'll work out with either Fajardo or Slaughter at the low bloc and Blatche actually positioned at the wings.

With some WBC players/world class players are very close to NBA standards,I expect them not to be push overs in the paint,I'm not saying that Junmar is a better low post player than Blatche but giving them that position,they will be playing comfortably with Blatche not concentrating on center duties and Fajardo not adjusting much to play power forward,plus we all know that Pingris and De Ocampo will be giving up much height in the power forward position.With most European,Latin American 4's are 6'9 and above.

Gilas Tall lineup:

Blatche 6'11
Fajardo 6'10
De Ocampo 6'6
Norwood 6'5
Dillinger 6'4

[geohunk]

Not sad but more pity.

Then again, talent should ultimately decide your status in any team. Obviously, Blatche is the more talented player and more importantly a better fit with Chot and DDO.

He is still an expensive practice player so there's that.

Whoah not so fast there..Blatche has yet to play a single minute of practice with the team, so it's way too early to definitively say he is a better fit for the team or would work well with the system. At most he'll only be getting a month to jell with the team, while Marcus has a couple of years of experience playing for Gilas.

So it's better to hold off on saying he "fits" right in, until we actually see him playing with a Gilas jersey. Sure his offensive talent alone would bring an impact to the team, but I'm still on the fence on him when it comes to his hustle and defense as he does seem to be lackadaisical on those aspects of his game.


Considering the very small time frame to practice with the team before the World's, this will prove to either be a "genius" move by Chot or an "epic fail" for bringing him in this late in the game.

[GoPilipinas]

After the Philippines plays at the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan on July 11-19, there is a possibility that a visiting team of All-Stars will arrive to play two exhibition games with Gilas in Manila. If that is arranged, Blatche will join Gilas in the exhibition games here. Then, Gilas will set up training camp in Miami where Blatche lives in the NBA offseason. From Miami, Gilas moves to Spain where the team will train in Vitoria and play friendlies with several national teams. It will also compete in a four-nation pocket tournament in Antibes, France, to prepare for the World Cup. http://ph.nba.com/writers-content/37...l#.U5cUUHKSzt5

is this another smart all star weekend? excited!

[Big Ticket]

PNoy has signed the papers... Blatche is now officially a Filipino!

[athangonzales]

Gilas Pilipinas @smartgilasph 12s
Andray Blatche is officially now a Filipino after President Noynoy Aquino signed his papers today!

Mabuhay!... http://fb.me/6VKl2Hfn

[digitalsuperman]

im excited to know who will the Middle Eastern teams naturalize from the NBA now that gilas has got the ball rolling.

[-«miron»-]

Gilas Pilipinas @smartgilasph 12s
Andray Blatche is officially now a Filipino after President Noynoy Aquino signed his papers today!

Mabuhay!... http://fb.me/6VKl2Hfn

that's good news for Philippine basketball! hopefully he will jell well with the rest of gilas players.