Blatche vows to bring honor to Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche ends his whirlwind visit to the country with an appearance in a PBA Governors Cup doubleheader at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight before flying back to the US via Korea at 12:30 after midnight.

Blatche arrived here Sunday morning from New York with high school buddy Bryan Extra, social media officer Selva White and East West Private partner Charles (Duke) Pryor. His trip was arranged by East West Private, a Cincinnati-based wealth and investment management with a strong sports portfolio. East West Private partner Chao Espaldon flew in the day before Blatche and his companions landed to finalize their itinerary.

Blatche’s naturalization through legislation is awaiting final approval into law with President Aquino’s signature after passage by the House of Representatives and the Senate. With naturalization, Blatche becomes eligible to play for the Philippines at the FIBA World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14.

From the airport, Blatche and his party checked in at the Raffles Hotel in Makati then had lunch hosted by PLDT chairman and SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan on the 14th floor of the Meralco Building at Ortigas. Among those who attended were Rep. Robbie Puno, Sen. Sonny Angara, Maynilad president and SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas, Metro Pacific Tollways president Ramoncito Fernandez, Meralco senior vice president and PBA chairman Ramon Segismundo, PBA Talk ‘N’ Text alternate governor Patrick Gregorio, Gilas coach Chot Reyes and wife Cherry, Dr. Raffy Bejar, Atty. Paul Gueco, assistant coaches Joseph Uichico and Josh Reyes, Gilas team manager Aboy Castro, SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and Gilas players Jimmy Alapag, Ranidel de Ocampo, Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier.

Blatche paid a courtesy call on Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario yesterday morning, took lunch at Sofitel Hotel, visited the Senate in the afternoon then flew to Boracay with his companions where they stayed at Discovery Shores. Blatche’s traveling group returns to Manila this afternoon then watches a PBA game before leaving.

“Technically, Andray didn’t need to come over but the fact that he did shows his character,” said Alapag. “He’s a down-to-earth, laid-back and humble guy. We’re excited to play with a guy like Andray. He’s obviously very talented as a basketball player. Talking to him, we sense that he’s very excited to play with us, too. I think with Marcus (Douthit) and Andray in the gym, they’ll change the whole complexion of how we practice.”

Pangilinan said he never imagined Blatche, who stands 6-11 and weighs 235 pounds, to be so big and amiable.  â€œHe’s a nice guy to talk to,” said MVP. “He’ll surely help us in Spain.” Blatche is also committed to play for Gilas at the Asian Games in Incheon on Sept. 19-Oct. 4.

Blatche said he’ll fight hard for the Philippines on the court to bring honor to the country. In Spain, the Philippines is in the same bracket as Croatia, Greece, Argentina, Puerto Rico and Senegal. He said he’s familiar with Argentinian center Luis Scola who plays for the Indiana Pacers in the NBA. Blatche mentioned that his Brooklyn teammate Jorge Gutierrez will also be in Spain playing for Mexico. Another Brooklyn teammate Paul Pierce will fly to Spain as a spectator.

After the Philippines plays at the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan on July 11-19, there is a possibility that a visiting team of All-Stars will arrive to play two exhibition games with Gilas in Manila. If that is arranged, Blatche will join Gilas in the exhibition games here. Then, Gilas will set up training camp in Miami where Blatche lives in the NBA offseason. From Miami, Gilas moves to Spain where the team will train in Vitoria and play friendlies with several national teams. It will also compete in a four-nation pocket tournament in Antibes, France, to prepare for the World Cup.

Blatche, 27, said he’s ready to soak in Philippine culture as a naturalized citizen. He went to the Philippine Consulate in New York City last March to sign a sworn affidavit affirming his conviction “to mingle with Filipinos and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people.”

“Everywhere Dray goes and there are Filipinos, he’s mobbed,” said Extra who’s been by Blatche’s side for over 10 years. “He was recently in a Puerto Rican resort and hung out with Filipinos. He played ping-pong with them and took them out to eat. Over at the Philippine Consulate, it was crazy. Filipinos know about Dray and that he’s playing for the Philippines in Spain so there’s excitement all over.”

Blatche said he’s learning Filipino words little by little like “salamat,” “kumusta ka,” “laban,” “puso” and “halo-halo.” At lunch last Sunday, he had his first taste of “halo-halo,” “kare-kare” and “buko” juice fresh out of the shell and loved it. He ate with MVP on the same table and later, joined his new Gilas teammates on their table, answering questions and telling stories about his basketball odyssey. Alapag was introduced to Blatche as the Gilas skipper, Castro as Asia’s No. 1 point guard, Fonacier as the team’s crack shooter and De Ocampo as the country’s top stretch four.

“I know how passionate Filipino fans are for basketball,” he said. “When that storm devastated the South last year, I saw images in the Internet showing Filipino kids playing basketball in a makeshift goal in a sandlot, trying to keep their spirits alive. That’s just amazing. I’m loving my stay in the Philippines. I sincerely appreciate this opportunity to play for the Philippines and I’m thankful to everyone, especially MVP, for giving me this chance.”