Now that Andray Blatche has announced his retirement from professional basketball, let’s look back at when he first played for Gilas Pilipinas at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, from the eyes of the author.
The Gilas Pilipinas program has experienced many ups and downs over the years, but lately, it’s been riding a wave of success with massive wins against world-class opponents. The recent announcement of a new Gilas pool is a reminder of the remarkable longevity of Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo, whose size and experience remain invaluable assets to the team. But one name that stands out from that historic 2014 run is Andray Blatche.
The former NBA big man, who was naturalized to bolster the Gilas lineup, recently announced his retirement after representing the country one last time with Strong Group Athletics at the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Charles Tiu, the coach of Strong Group Athletics, shared his expectations for Blatche, saying, “I expect him to be a good leader for us as one of our vets and as someone who’s had experience here in this tournament. I still think he has something left to give us — knock down some open shots — and he’s going to be due for a good game.”
It’s a pity we never saw Kuya Dray play in the PBA, as his naturalized status wasn’t enough for him to compete as a local. Nevertheless, his contributions to Gilas are unforgettable.
When Blatche first suited up for Gilas in 2014, he was a lean 27-year-old fresh off a season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 22.2 minutes per game. That Nets team was stacked with Hall of Fame veterans like Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, as well as All-Star-caliber players such as Joe Johnson, Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, and Brooke Lopez. The fact that Blatche earned significant minutes on such a roster speaks volumes about his talent and versatility. I even remember picking him up for my fantasy basketball team, for a few weeks, that year!
When Andray Blatche donned the three stars and a sun in Spain, it was clear from the start that he would be a game-changer for Gilas. I was fortunate enough to cover the 2014 FIBA World Cup in person, in fact it’s a core memory of mine. Of the 20 years of being a sportscaster, that was my favorite coverage, as it was history, being back on the world stage after a nearly four-decade absence.
Seeing Japeth Aguilar guarding a young Giannis Antetokounmpo, LA Tenorio going mano y mano with JJ Barea, Gabe Norwood serving a facial on Luis Scola, and Jimmy Alapag calmly hitting two free throws to seal our first win in the World Cup. Dray’s presence in Coach Chot Reyes’ system made all that possible. Although most of the games were heartbreakingly close, the world took notice of what Gilas and Blatche brought to the table.
I’ll never forget meeting a Filipino family from Brooklyn who traveled all the way to Seville, Spain. They had pulled their kids out of school, explaining that they wanted them to witness history. As Brooklyn Nets fans, they were thrilled to see Blatche playing for the Philippines, embodying the pride of an entire nation.
Even NBA stars were impressed. Pau Gasol admitted to me, “We were watching the Philippines and talking about how to play them if they made the knockout stages. Unfortunately, they didn’t get there.” JJ Barea said, “They were tough, really tough. We needed everything to get past them.” Evan Fournier added, “They really impressed me when we played them in a tune-up game. I was shocked at how they played us.”
Blatche’s skill set was exactly what Gilas needed. As a big man who could handle the ball, stretch the floor, and score in a variety of ways, he was the centerpiece of the team’s offense. His versatility, combined with the fearless play of his teammates, made Gilas a force to be reckoned with.
The legacy of Andray Blatche with Gilas Pilipinas goes beyond the stats. He helped put Philippine basketball on the world stage and inspired countless fans and players. While his journey with Gilas has come to an end, the memories he created will continue to resonate in the hearts of Filipino basketball fans. As Coach Chot and Coach Tim (Cone) always say, “Once Gilas, always Gilas.”
Salamat, Kuya Dray!
Banner images from AFP.