Sa kabila ng markang “underdog” sa gaganaping Manila Olympic Qualifying Tournament, naniniwala si naturalized Andray Blatche na may kapasidad ang Gilas Pilipinas na makahirit laban sa European heavyweight.

Matinding sakripisyo ang kailangang gawin ng Philippine basketball team para malagpasan ang title contender France at New Zealand sa torneo na nakatakda sa Hulyo 5-10 sa MOA Arena sa Pasay City.

Nakataya ang isang Olympic slot sa torneo at ang pagkakataong makalaro sa Rio Games sa Agosto 5-21 ang nais maisakatuparan ng Gilas.

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“There’s nothing wrong with being the underdog. It takes a bit of pressure off. It allows us to go out there and play our game comfortably and not to be so stressed out there,” pahayag ni Blatche.

Kumpiyansa ang NBA veteran na makakasabay ang Gilas Pilipinas sa tempo ng laro ng star-studded na karibal.

“I believe we’re going to go out there with a lot of fight, a lot of heart and I really think we have a good chance,” pahayag ni Blatche.

Naniniwala rin si Blatche na malaki ang magagawa ng home crowd para maitaas ang morale ng Gilas sa pakikipagharap sa NBA stars tulad nina Nicolas Batum at Tony Parker.

“That’s on my mind. We’re (at) home. We have everyone behind rooting for us. I feel like we have the ability to shock a lot of people,” aniya.

“The pressure is not on us, it’s on them,”sambit ni Blatche. (marivic awitan)