Chot Reyes says Fajardo-Blatche duo makes Gilas a serious threat

MANILA, Philippines – Former Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes backs present coach Tab Baldwin’s plan to play fast-improving local big man June Mar Fajardo and naturalized center Andray Blatche together significantly in the coming FIBA Asia Championship.

Reyes, who selected the 6-foot-10 Fajardo to the Gilas team that competed in the 2013 FIBA Asia and the 2014 FIBA World Cup, said Fajardo deserves the inevitable playing time he will get after showing rapid improvement in the last two years. 

“That’s a great plan. In fact, the way June Mar has developed now, he deserves to have those minutes,” Reyes said. “Remember, when I added him in Gilas he was a rookie. His game was so far from where he is now.”

Fajardo paid his dues as he rode the bench for the better part of the 2013 FIBA Asia where Gilas wound up with the silver medal. His playing time went up a notch come the World Cup in Spain as he showcased his wares in the Philippines’ lone win against Senegal with 15 points, 9 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

With a number of international competitions under his belt in just two years, Fajardo swiftly ascended in the PBA and became season MVP in 2014. He is likewise a strong candidate for a second consecutive MVP plum this season.

“I think the Gilas experience helped him so much that when he came back he’s dominated the local league,” Reyes said of Fajardo, who is averaging 17.19 points, 12.06 rebounds and 1.25 blocks so far in the 2015 Governors’ Cup as the San Miguel Beermen eye a second Finals appearance this season.

Fajardo together with the versatile 6-foot-11 Blatche makes the Philippines a real threat against the much taller line-ups of its Asian neighbors such as home team China and reigning champions Iran. 

“I think that’s wise to play them together extensively,” added Reyes, who was with the national team since 2012. “That’s going to be a real strength for us.” 

Though the 26-man pool from which the final line-up will be selected has not been revealed, Baldwin has made it clear since his appointment in December that Fajardo will play a crucial role for the national team now and in the years to come. 

The former New Zealand national team coach expressed his plan to mold Fajardo into a solid big who can be highly competitive internationally. From the start, Baldwin set his intention to give Fajardo more international burn to improve his game. 

“We have an excellent chance,” Reyes said when asked for his thoughts on Gilas’ chances to win a gold, which automatically qualifies the team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“I think the crucial piece is Andray Blatche,” he explained. “If we could get Andray Blatche we should be one of the favorites to win the gold medal. And I think that’s a concensus that even the rest of Asia shares. In my mind, the top 3 for the FIBA Asia are China, Iran and the Philippines.” 

The Philippines is considered the strongest in Group B with Kuwait, Palestine and either Hong Kong or Mongolia. But preparations have yet to begin with the PBA season still ongoing. (READ: Baldwin on PH’s FIBA Asia group: ‘We’re the team to beat in our pool’)

The planned start of training is on August 1 with a training camp abroad. Gilas is also set to compete this September in the MVP Cup, a 4-nation home pocket tournament that includes Lebanon and New Zealand. Participation in the William Jones Cup is still being considered.

This year’s FIBA Asia Championship will take place in Changsa, Hunan in China from September 23 to October 3. – Rappler.com