MANILA, Philippines - It didn’t take long for nine-year NBA veteran Andray Blatche to show he belongs with the Philippine national team now training twice a day for the FIBA World Cup in Spain on the 19th floor NBA-standard basketball court of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Miami.
Blatche, 27, reported for work on the first day of practice last Saturday and was warmly welcomed by his new teammates, including fellow naturalized player Marcus Douthit. Both Blatche and Douthit are in the initial lineup submitted by Gilas coach Chot Reyes to FIBA but only one will be in the final 12-man roster for the World Cup. Under FIBA rules, a national team is allowed to enlist only one naturalized player.
Douthit, 34, and Blatche have many things in common. They were both born in Syracuse, New York, and are second round picks in the NBA draft a year apart. They’re also both 6-11 centers. The difference is in their playing experience. Blatche went straight from high school to the NBA in 2005 and has played for the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets. Douthit played four years with the Providence College varsity then saw action as an import in Belgium, Lebanon, Turkey, Russia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, South Korea, China and the Philippines. Douthit never made it to the NBA but had close calls with the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.
Although Blatche has a home in Miami, he took out a room at the Marriott Marquis Hotel to join his teammates. The practice schedule is twice a day from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There are also team meetings and viewing sessions. Whatever Reyes wants the team to do in the gym, Blatche does it, too. He’s no exception to the rule. Blatche is treated just like any other player.
“Dray is working very well,” said Reyes in a message from Miami. “Dray and Marcus are pushing each other (at practice). We had our first team activity with Dray before practice last Wednesday. It was a film viewing of the ESPN short film ‘Think Normal,’ meant to stimulate profound thinking and reflection on our extraordinary journey.”
Reyes said Blatche has been nothing short of amazing. “On top of all his great shooting and ball-handling skills, the players are finding out how accomplished and willing a passer he is,” added Reyes.
Gilas team manager Aboy Castro said Blatche is all business. “He’s made a lot of moves that leave all of us saying ‘wow,’” continued Castro. Blatche is fully concentrated on the task at hand even as he has still to sign a new NBA contract after exercising his option to become a free agent last June 30. The scuttlebutt is the Toronto Raptors, Clippers, Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers are in contention for Blatche’s services. Miami and Brooklyn are reportedly also interested.
At the moment, Reyes is supervising the Gilas workouts with consultant Tab Baldwin. assistants Joseph Uichico and Josh Reyes and strength and conditioning coach Dexter Aseron. Norman Black and Ryan Gregorio will leave Manila to join Reyes’ staff in Spain on Aug. 22 while Nash Racela will take off on the night of the PBA draft on Aug. 24.
A team insider said the Gilas workouts have been brutal with players enduring the strain on their bodies because they’re aware what this is for. The Marriott Marquis basketball court is exclusively reserved for Gilas on a 24/7 basis so that even when newly-signed Miami Heat forward Luol Deng showed up to shoot hoops, he had to ask permission from Reyes.
Once, Gilas guard Paul Lee was in the gym shooting at 3 a.m. Jay Washington and Jared Dillinger were spotted working out at midnight, stroking jumpers. Every morning, Jimmy Alapag leads others in shooting from different angles starting at 6 a.m. The other day, Gary David did extra work with Baldwin at 6 a.m. Around the clock, players take turns working out on their own in the gym beyond the twice-a-day practices. The commitment to get ready for the World Cup is uncompromising.
“It’s all business,” said the insider. “I hope our countrymen realize how hard they’re working. They get just a few breaks like when Gary’s sister Mai hosted lunch with Filipino food at her home. It’s been six years that Gary hadn’t seen his sister who lives in Miami with her family. The guys are preparing for war and they’re very focused. They know the responsibility on their shoulders. They know that millions of Filipinos are praying for them. They’re going out to play their best for flag and country.”