BLATCHE GIVES PHILIPPINES HOPE OF QUALIFYING FOR THE RIO OLYMPICS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 05 Jan 2016
Blatche.
The decision of former NBA Brooklyn Nets standout Andray Blatche to play for Gilas Pilipinas has given hope to the Philippine basketball team that it could qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil later this year.
In a story by Adrian Stewart Co, FIBA.com reports that there is plenty of optimism that the current Gilas squad coached by Tab Baldwin will break a 44 year old drought of failing to qualify for the Olympic Games when it competes in one of the three FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments with the winners of each six-team event booking a place in the Rio Olympics.
The FIBA story noted that while Asia hasn?t been the powerhouse continent of international basketball there is no doubt that the level of play has improved and the Philippines is one of the teams that are on the up.
The Philippines added Blatche to the line-up after he was naturalized by an act of Congress and the American surpassed expectations at the 2014 FIBA World Cup of basketball.
Blatche led the team in points and rebounds and helped the Philippines stay close in its first four games before leading Gilas Pilipinas to victory over Senegal in their final game.
Although he was clearly out of shape, Blatche quickly buckled down to work and helped the Philippines reach the finals of the 2015 FIBA Asia Championships before losing to hosts China.
Team manager Butch Antonio told Panay News that after it was decided to compete for a place in the Rio Olympics qualifying tournament ?we immediately informed Andray who gave the Filipinos the nod that yes, he?s ready to play for the national team. Antonio said Blatche ?gave his assurance that he?ll be available and is okay.?
Statistically it means that the Philippines will get a player who averaged 21.2 points and 13.8 rebounds in the World Cup in Spain and 23.5 points and 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists while playing for the Xianjiang Flying Tigers, currently the leading team in the Chinese Basketball Association.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025