GILAS Pilipinas Head Coach Tab Baldwin hopes to fast track the country’s preparation for the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) with the arrival of naturalized player Andray Blatche to the country on Friday.
With less than two months remaining before the Manila OQT, Blatche watched the Gilas 5 scrimmages and, though he did not join his teammates, Baldwin liked what he saw.
“He looks better and he seems to be ready,” Baldwin said. “We would not let him play today [Saturday]. We would let him rest first before going all out for the practice,” Baldwin added.
Last year as the PHL 5 prepared for the Fiba Asia Championship in China, Blatche came overweight. He struggled to get his best shape and the Philippines finished behind the host nation and has to go through the OQT.