Blatche saludo kay Mikey Williams

MANILA, Philippines — Optimistiko si dating Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player Andray Blatche sa magiging kampanya ng Strong Group Athletics sa Dubai International Basketball Championship na raratsada mula Enero 24 hanggang Pebrero 2 sa United Arab Emirates.

Mataas ang moral ni Blatche dahil malalim ang lineup ng kanilang tropa.

“We definitely got bigger. We still got shooters. We got a couple of shoo­ters from last year, but we got shooters stepping up. All the locals are playing great,” ani Blatche.

Maliban sa mga imports, isa sa tinukoy ni Blatche si Mikey Williams na isa sa mahuhusay na point guards sa Pilipinas.

“Locals are definitely confident. We got Mikey this year also. Mikey, you know, he’s been running the team like a great point guard. I mean, we have a group of great guys. A lot of shooters, a lot of talent. We have good bigs, good guards,” ani Blatche.

Hindi naman na ito bago para kay Williams na may napatunayan na rin sa mga nakalipas na kumperensiya ng Philippine Basketball Association noong naglalaro pa ito para sa Talk ’N Text Tropang Giga.

Dalawang beses lang naman itong itinanghal na Finals MVP — noong 2021 Philippine Cup at 2023 Governors’ Cup.

Nais ni Blatche na ma­ging maganda ang ratsada ng SGA dahil posibleng ito na ang huling paglalaro nito.

Makakasama ni Blat­che sa kampanya sina NBA star DeMarcus Cou­sins, NBA sniper Malachi Richardson at  international journeyman Terry Larrier.

Nakalineup din sina Jason Brickman, Rhenz Abando, Dave Ildefonso, Chris Koon at Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player. Ange Kouame.