By Joel Orellana
NATURALIZED player Andre Blanche will play for Gilas Pilipinas in the Olympic qualifier in China in September, according to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios.
In fact, Barrios stressed, it is only Blatche who is guaranteed a spot on the 12-man team Gilas Head Coach Tab Baldwin will be fielding for the September 23 to October 6 International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Asia Men’s Championship in Changsa in Hunan, China.
Reports that Blatche won’t be available for the Olympic qualifier came up when the American’s club team in the Chinese Basketball Association, Xinjian Flying Tigers, announced it would not release Blatche to Gilas.
“He [Blatche] will play. May contract siya sa SBP. At ang alam ko ang Amerikano basta may kontrata, sinusunod nila ‘yan. Case closed na ‘yan,” Barrios told the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate.
“In fact, sina Butch Antonio at Yvette Ruiz [Gilas team officers], naghahanap na ng titirahan ni Blatche once he arrives in the country,” Barrios added in the forum, presented by San Miguel Corp., Accel, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
The 28-year-old Blatche recently signed a three-year, $7.5-million contract with Xinjian for the new CBA season, which unfolds in November.
But Barrios is confident that the former National Basketball Association forward will honor his contract with the SBP and with Marcus Douhit officially out of the Gilas program, the country’s Olympic dream is now on the broad shoulders of the 6-foot-11 player.
Blatche reinforced Gilas in the 2014 Fiba World Cup in Spain, and according to experts, the Philippines will be one of the favorites to get the lone Olympic spot for Asia if he suits up in the Asian championship.
While Barrios is sure the ex-Brooklyn Nets forward will play in China, he admitted the Gilas lineup remains a “work in progress.”
Baldwin has yet to complete his national pool, which Barrios said will be composed of 26 players.
Barrios said some of the players on Baldwin’s wish list may not be available because of personal or health reasons. “But we will respect the players’ decision,” Barrios said.
LA Tenorio told a radio interview on Tuesday that he has begged off from the pool, citing fatigue as reason. June Mar Fajardo is also below 100 percent because of a nagging foot injury, while Marc Pingris is in France on a personal trip and won’t be able to join the first few weeks of practice.
Tenorio, Fajardo and Pingris, the three players in the wish list of Baldwin, were with the Gilas team that won the silver in the 2013 Asian Championship and competed in the World Cup in Spain.
The PBA promised to announce the training pool on or before August 1.