The Unknown

Will he play with PUSO?
(Photo courtesy of SolarSportsDesk.Ph)

"The boys may not be afraid yet, but we're getting a bad feeling. This passage, with its "decaying coconuts" and forest "darkness" hints that nasty things are on the way. No wonder the littluns start freaking out." - excerpt from "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding

The unknown and our fear of it is the "darkness" that we speak of, of the "nasty things" being on its way.

As Gilas Pilipinas flies out West to Miami, Florida to train for the coming FIBA World Cup tournament to be held in Spain, there's a lingering sense of doubt among fans. Realistically speaking, no one is expecting a podium finish this time around. Logic dictates that our team can win a game or two at best, but overcoming the powerhouse European teams and America might be a little out of the question.

The sense of the unknown or doubt, comes by way of one Andray Blatche. The man who is being touted as our new hero, to replace the one that has spent the last four or five years bringing us back to Asian basketball contention-- Marcus Douthit.

Blatche is 27 years old but already a tried and tested NBA veteran of nine to ten years. He is a legitimate NBA starting center which Douthit cannot lay claim to no matter the international accolades. Blatche has posted averages of 10.1 ppg 5.4 rpg 1.4 apg 0.8 bpg 0.9 spg 22.1 mpg thus far in his NBA career while playing for two teams - Washington Wizards and New Jersey/ Brooklyn Nets. He's had a whole year's run of 18 and 8s so yes, he can score and play against elite talent.

He's had some brushes with the law, but has maintained a solid on court image. There were some rumors and concerns about his attitude early in his career, but he has kept a low profile the last few years spent with the Nets (most likely learning a lot about the game and off it from future NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett).

But to us, the Filipinos, he's an unknown.

A stranger. A gun for hire.

Will he play his heart out for Filipinos worldwide? Will he hustle for the ball, willingly scrap, claw and fight for possessions and more importantly, defer to his Filipino teammates? Will he sacrifice and play with PUSO?

Because Douthit sure as hell did. From being Gilas I's only offensive weapon and posting beastly 25 and 15 numbers, Douthit willingly deferred to PBA veterans when Gilas was retooled to what it is today and concentrated more on anchoring the defense. Can Blatche do the same? Will he do the same?

It's rather unfortunate that we weren't able to see Blatche in action up close, just to see how good he really is and if he can blend with Gilas in time for the FIBA World Cup. Hopefully, he performs well in Miami and guys are able to work with and around him on and off the court.

We will have to wait for Spain to find out.