MANILA – Naturalized center Andray Blatche and Terrence Romeo are still part of Team Philippines despite being left of the pool for the fifth window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Qualifier later this month.
Head coach Yeng Guiao told a news conference Tuesday night they made a tough decision not to include the two for the Philippine team’s match against Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 and Iran on Dec. 3.
“We appreciate what Andray Blatche has done for us previously, but there’s been a lot of considerations made,” said Guiao. “It was a hard decision on the part of the coaching staff to drop him.”
Blatche was delisted because he remains suspended for one game for his role in the brawl between the Philippines and Australia during the Qualifier game in July at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, Guiao said.
The impressive showing of Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger during the previous Qualifier window is also a factor in Blatche’s non-inclusion, disclosed the head coach.
“There is a limitation to how Dray can be utilized since he is still suspended for one game,” Guiao said. “Also, there is really a strong bond among the (team) members and we want to preserve that chemistry and bond.”
Moreover, “Christian Standhardinger produced numbers that can’t be argued against,” he added. “So we felt he deserves strong consideration for the lineup.”
Just like the 6-foot-11 Blatche, Romeo is also serving a one-game suspension, also for the infamous “basketbrawl.”
“Of course, (Blatche and Romeo) will still be considered, lalo na sa next window, wala na silang suspension,” Guiao said. “They are still very much part of the national team program.”/PN
