Andray Blatche may be ineligible to represent Gilas at Asian Games

Manolo Pedralvez

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Recently naturalized Gilas member Andray Blatche may not be able to play in Incheon because of residency issues

KUYA ANDRAY. Andray Blatche, seen here posting up Toronto's Amir Johnson, may be ineligible to play for Gilas. Photo by Warren Toda/EPA

MANILA, Philippines – Don’t count on naturalized center Andray Blatche competing for the Philippines in the Incheon Asian Games next month.

This was the information relayed by a Chinese Olympic Council of Asia official to Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, the PH team chef de mission to the Incheon Asiad, on the sidelines of the just-concluded Youth Olympic Games in Nanjng, China.

A reliable source, who was in Nanjing and privy to the talks between the Chinese OCA executive and the two Filipino sports officials, bared on Wednesday, August 27, that OCA eligibility rules contained in its charter would be strictly applied in the case of Blatche.

“The Chinese OCA official invoked Article 50 of the OCA Eligibility Code in explaining why Blatche is barred from competing in Incheon,” he said.

He cited the salient provisions found  in Sections 2b, 2c and 3 of Article 50 of the OCA Eligibility Code entitled “Necessary Conditions for Representing a Country.”

“Competitors will be eligible if they comply with the following qualifications:

b. That they are nationals or citizens of the country they represent and have lived there continuously for a period of not less than three years.

c. That they have become naturalized in the country they represent and have permanent residence there.

”3. Competitors born outside of Asia cannot be qualified unless they meet conditions in 2b and c, where applicable.”

The  OCA Eligibility Code is patterned after the rule of the International Olympic Committee.  

Based on these provisions “there is no way for Blatche can compete for the Philippines in the Asian Games,” he pointed out

A native of Syracuse, New York, the 6-foot-10 Blatche’s naturalization papers were passed by Congress earlier this year.

 The former Brooklyn Net, who remains a free agent, set foot in the country for the first time briefly following his naturalized so he could be introduced as the newest member of the Gilas  Pilipinas squad.

Blatche will be playing for the Philippine Men’s National Basketball team in the FIBA World Cup opening in Spain on Saturday, August 30.  

FIBA eligibility regulations only require a cager to have a passport of the country he will play for to compete in the event.

Due to the stringent OCA eligibility rules, the source said, the Philippines will be compelled to  the drop Blatche for the Incheon Asian Games basketball tournament and might have to make do with an 11-man lineup.

OCA rules also bar last-minute additions if their names are not included in the provisional roster earlier submitted to the Asian Games organizers.

Marcus Douthit, the naturalized player who has represented Gilas Pilipinas in recent years, is not on that list.

The source said that issue could have easily been prevented had officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas asked the advice of the POC and PSC in advance regarding the Asian Games eligibility requirements.

“But SBP never did.”

Moying Martelino, who composed the POC letter sent to OCA two weeks ago clarifying Blatche’s status, refused to comment on the latest development.

The veteran basketball hand, who also acts as an SBP adviser, said SBP executives led by president Manny Pangilinan had left for the FIBA World Cup.

“I might say something if I  hear from the SBP leadership in Spain. But I believe they are already aware of the issue, said Martelino, a former secretary general of FIBA Asia while it was still known as the Asian Basketball Confederation.

Despite the bleak outlook, Garcia said he would lobby for the inclusion of Blatche when he leaves for Incheon, South Korea on Sept. 10 to attend the Asian Games Delegation Registration Meeting scheduled Sept. 11 to 12.

“We will give it our best shot,” Garcia said of the meeting where the final composition of the national teams vying in the meet will be screened and approved.

Blatche’s likely absence will leave the Pinoy cagers, whose marching orders from no less than Pangilinan is to capture the Asian Games gold, vulnerable inside the paint.

After drawing a bye in the first round, Gilas Pilipinas has been bracketed in Group E in the second phase with reigning FIBA Asia champion, featuring 7-foot-2 big man Hamad Hadadi, along with another squad advancing from the qualifiers.  

A team led  by Caloy Loyzaga, Engracio “Sonny” Arazas, Alberto “Big Boy” Reynoso and  Alfonso “Boy” Marquez powered Filipinos to their last  Asian Games men’s basketball championship in the 1962 Jakarta Asiad. – Rappler.com


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