ANDRAY Blatche couldn't be more thrilled to suit up for another Philippine team — this time, with Strong Group Athletics (SGA).
Gilas Pilipinas' former naturalized player has made the most of his brief stay in Manila thus far, having been in contact with some of his national team cohorts in recent days.
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"I feel great. I love it (here in the Philippines). it’s like my second home. You know, I haven’t been here in a couple of years but it still feels the same as it did," Blatche shared to mediamen after SGA's open practice on Wednesday.
"Majority of the (Gilas) guys reached out to me. I believe Gabe [Norwood]’s got a podcast, correct? He invited me to go on his podcast and we’ll do that, and Asi [Taulava], Matt [Wright], Japeth [Aguilar]. I reached out to Junemar [Fajardo] too. They all reached out. They all said welcome back. I appreciate the love," he added.
A 'strong group,' indeed
The 37-year-old, 6-foot-11 center, who just rung in his 19th year in pro basketball, wants SGA's 'geat and aggressive' young guns to be less apologetic and instead use their mistakes as catalysts for growth.
"I like the young group that we have. They’re trying to learn and even when they mess up, they say sorry, but I don’t want them to say sorry. I want them to keep on going out and make mistakes that’s how you be better."
Blatche added: "The good thing about these young guys are willing to put the work in and are learning and listening. So, it’s making everything go by pretty smoothly [...] All the guys are great in their own special ways. They gotta stay aggressive."
Come January 19 when the 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship goes underway, lifting the trophy after last year's quarterfinals heartbreak is the only thing on Blatche's mind.
"Ever since I first went to the team back in I believe 2015, it’s going to be my second time going over to this tournament in Dubai. The first trip we won it, we won the championship so hopefully, we can go back with the same results," Blatche said.
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