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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Sunday, September 3, 2017
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MANILA – Gilas Pilipinas might have to rely on an all-Filipino crew in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.
Naturalized players Andray Blatche and Christian Standhardinger will be unavailable when the competition starts in November.
The complicated tournament format has made getting the services of Blatche and Standhardinger, who both have contracts in China and Hong Kong, respectively, doubtful, said head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes.
“There’s a complication with Andre Blatche because by November he will be playing in his Chinese team, also Christian with Hong Kong team in ABL (ASEAN Basketball League),” said Reyes.
“Hindi namin sila mapaalam because we need to have something concrete. We don’t have something concrete kasi hindi namin alam kung ano’ng package ang ibibigay namin sa kanila,” he added.
And while many – including some Philippine Basketball Association imports – signified interest in play for Gilas as a naturalized player, the naturalization process is not easy, Reyes said.
“We are talking to several (players). There are prospects, but that’s not easy. We have to go through Congress and their contracts,” he said. “That’s how difficult our situation is.”
The Philippine men’s basketball team is facing a tough task in the home-and-away FIBA World Cup qualifier after being grouped with heavyweights Australia, Japan and Chinese-Taipei./PN
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