[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Blatche’s value more than points – Chot’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’18’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
MANILA – Despite his continued subpar showing in the ongoing 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Andray Blatche will not be replaced as Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized center.
The former NBA big man is an important piece to the Philippine team, and his value is not measured by statistics alone, according to head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes.
“His value has always been beyond numbers, and I know he got a lot of flak the last game,” Reyes said. “I’m just telling everybody that we’re taking a look at everything, but Andray is our guy.”
“So I hope that puts to rest all this talk about Andray for those of you who really know his value,” he added. “Andray makes us competitive regardless of what his numbers or the stats show.”
Blatche had his best game in the qualifier on Sunday night when he finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds in Gilas’ 89-84 win over Japan. But he also committed numerous turnovers down the stretch.
Reyes defended the former Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets center for his 8-point-and-eight-rebound performance during the Philippines’ 84-68 loss to Australia Boomers on Thursday.
“Blatche’s primary assignment against the Aussies was to limit their top player Daniel Kickert, which he did by holding him to just 5 points after averaging close to 20 points on a high 74 percent shooting from the 3-point line,” Reyes said.
“So those of you who understand basketball, you will see that it’s not points only. There’s a lot of value,” he added. “Without Blatche around, we could have lost by an even bigger margin against the Boomers.”
Gilas (3-1), currently on second place in Group B, will return to action for the third window of the Qualifiers on June 29 in Chinese Taipei and on July 2 when it plays host to Australia./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
