(NI LOUIS AQUINO)

HINDI pa tapos ang paglalaro para sa Pilipinas ni Andray Blatche.

Makaraan ang hindi impresibong laro niya sa Gilas sa nakaraang FIBA World Cup, muling nabigyan ng pagkakataon si Blatche na bumawi sa Pinoy basketball fans sa pamamagitan ng Mighty Sports Philippines, na suportado ng Go for Gold at eMedsure.

Isinama ang Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized player sa Mighty ng coach nitong si Charles Tiu, na naniniwalang makakatulong si Blatche sa koponan na lalaban sa 2020 Dubai International Basketball Tournament sa Enero 2020.

Kumpiyansa si Tiu na kahit 33-anyos na ang dating NBA player, may ibubuga pa rin ito lalo kung esperience ang pag-uusapan.

“Actually, we’ve wanted to get him for a while. I know he’s motivated to have a better showing representing the Philippines. We tried to get them both in the Jones Cup but it didn’t happen so now we have a chance,” wika ng Mighty coach.

“Since he’s a naturalized player, Blatche will be playing for Mighty as a local,” dagdag ni Tiu.

Huling naglaro si Blatche para sa bansa sa 2019 Fiba World Cup sa China, kung saan nangulelat ang Pilipinas sa ilalim ni coach Yeng Guiao.

Kaya pagkakataon na ng naturalized center para makabawi sa Dubai tilt kung saan makakasama niya ang batang-bata at 7-foot-2 center na si Kai Sotto.

“He’s always wanted to be a mentor for Kai. Plus Andray can play as a local so it’s great for us,” sabi ni Tiu.
Maliban kay Sotto, makakasama rin ni Blatche sa Mighty ang magkapatid na Juan at Javi Gomez de Liano.
Excited din si Tiu na makasama sa Mighty si National University guard ang 19-anyos na si Dave Ildefonso.

“I’ve had the privilege of being with him during (the 2019 Fiba) U-19 World Cup and he really impressed me a lot with his leadership and his game. He can more than hold his own against the best of the world at his age,” anang Mighty coach.

“This tournament will give him some good experience against professional players and even imports at his position. I know he has dreams of maybe playing internationally one day so this is a good start for him at such a young age,” sabi pa ni Tiu patungkol sa anak ng PBA legend na si Danny Ildefonso.