
Hail, Dray Blatche has got more gold to give
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 02 Oct 2015

HE?S only 29, but had played older and slower, looking disposable, at the start of the current Fiba Asia championship in China.
Just one jewel of a game, against Iran on Monday , and Andray Blatche glows and looms brand new.
The man, after all, is a genuine treasure of an athlete.
He has more golden greatness to give, sky is the limit.
**
I said Gilas had got nothing left to hide or give, following the team?s soft and scattered finish against Palestine last week wherein Blatche was caught napping in the closing minute.
I take back my word.
Yes, looking back, that was a totally different Blatche we all saw there.
He looked lost and wasted . He could not execute at the clutch.
**
Sorry Mr Blatche for doubting your worth.
I was wrong, very wrong.
I no longer have to ask you where you dug those extra energy and skills.
You were just super. Period.
That was magical competence you spun on the court, considering the harrowing weight reduction you had to go through.
**
You know what? You made the feared Iranian giant Hamed Hiddadi look every inch a bogus NBA graduate.
Maybe you did not intend to shame the poor fellow.
Unfortunately, it was a race between a tested thoroughbred and a retirable plow horse that we all saw.
You did unmask Hiddadi. You made him look like your understudy.
**
But the greater thing was your selflessness. You opened scoring lanes, while kicking off to waiting wingers, in the process keeping the Gilas offensive machine smoothly clicking.
You also inspired an unshakable defensive stand.
Anyway, if you did the magnificent facilitating, we should all salute and thank the master and mentor.
**
Coach Tad Baldwin composed and orchestrated everything quietly.
The fourth quarter crescendo, the sudden spitfire spew of Jayson Castro, the blinding homestretch dazzle of both Calvin Abeva and Terence Romeo, could only be plotted and ordered by a genius of a hardcourt conductor.
The rhythm and timing was perfect.
Pray that this golden moment in Philippine basketball holds.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025