Richard Dy 5y

Blatche or Standhardinger? Guiao has tough choice to make

Gilas Pilipinas coach Yeng Guiao is considering whether to bring naturalized Filipino Andray Blatche back to the team given the abundance of big men available for the upcoming fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Guiao said Blatche's status will be part of Tuesday's agenda in the special meeting where he will present his program and reveal the potential 20-man pool to the PBA Board of Governors.

Guiao is seriously considering San Miguel Beermen rookie Christian Standhardinger as the naturalized player for the fifth window.

"He's a proven factor from the Asian Games to the FIBA window recently. He was the most consistent player for the team," Guiao said.

Standhardinger contributed 30 points and 12 rebounds in Gilas' loss to Iran in Tehran in September.

"I think if you're asking about his performance or usefulness, it's a given, and that is why we have a dilemma today if we will still need Blatche," Guiao said. "Because Christian played very well for us."

Guiao also expects June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter to bring frontcourt depth and solid inside presence when the national team hosts Kazakhstan on November 30 and powerhouse Iran on December 3. Blatche will be available to play against Iran as he will have completed his three-game suspension for his involvement in the Philippines-Australia brawl in July.

Injuries kept Fajardo and Slaughter from competing in the fourth window matches against Iran and Qatar. 

"With June Mar and Greg and Japeth [Aguilar], and either Christian or Andray, I feel we already have a solution [to match Iran's size], which was not the case the last time we faced them," Guiao said.

Guiao also said TNT players Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo and Troy Rosario are expected to join the team when they begin their practices in November.

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