US cager eager to return

MANILA, Philippines - Brooklyn Nets center Andray Blatche left his heart in Manila early yesterday morning to go back to the US, wishing he could stay longer and grateful for the opportunity to become a Filipino. It was an emotional ending to a whirlwind three-day visit which he wanted to extend but couldn’t because of pressing commitments related to exercising his free agency option in the NBA on June 30.

Blatche, 27, was overwhelmed by the reception he received here. The 6-11, 260-pound New Yorker was mobbed everywhere he went and enjoyed interacting with basketball-crazy Filipinos who, he said, are as passionate about the game as he is. It was evident that Gilas not only found a talented player who will boost the national team’s chances at the coming FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games but also a warm, humble and friendly person excited to embrace the customs of the country as a naturalized citizen.

“Dray’s approachable, cooperative and easy-going,” said Gilas team manager Aboy Castro who was with Blatche throughout most of his stay. “He was interviewed endlessly and never complained. Dray fell in love with the Philippines at first sight. He kept talking about how impressed he is with how we Filipinos love the game. He realizes it wasn’t easy to fast-track his naturalization and hopes to pay back all those who believe in him by playing as hard as he can for Gilas, to give honor to our country and to get those Ws.”

Blatche paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario at the Department of Foreign Affairs office on Roxas Boulevard last Monday and was surprised to find out the diplomat went to high school in New York. Secretary Del Rosario spoke about the Knicks of the ‘50s and rattled off names of NBA players from that era whom Blatche didn’t know. Blatche also went to the Senate to pay his respects to Senate President Sen. Franklin Drilon, Majority Floor Leader Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Sonny Angara and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada all of whom he called on in their offices.

“Sen. Drilon repeatedly mentioned that Dray’s naturalization was an extraordinary case,” said Castro. “Dray promised to make our country proud. Dray was teased about trying balut but Sen. Jinggoy himself mentioned he hardly eats it. Sen. Cayetano told Dray he’s a big NBA fan with a large collection of jerseys and sneakers. Sen. Sonny also received Dray in his office. Dray thanked Sen. Sonny for sponsoring his naturalization at the Senate.”

Blatche and his companions, high school friend Bryan Extra, social secretary Selva White and East-West Private partner Duke Pryor, were treated to a sumptuous buffet lunch at Spiral last Monday. “Dray loves Filipino food like kare-kare, lechon, pansit, halo-halo and chicken adobo.” Said Castro. At Spiral, he gulped down a glass of fresh mango shake and two glasses of watermelon shake. He’s aware Filipinos love to eat, like six times a day.” SBP executive director Sonny Barrios and Smart Sports senior project specialist Yvette Ruiz also joined the lunch.

Blatche and his traveling party went to Boracay last Monday afternoon for an overnight visit. They flew in a PLDT private jet with a mechanic and two pilots. “Dray raved about the sunset, the fine sand, the sun,” said Castro. “He wanted to try Jonah’s fruit shakes but ran out of time. He went on an All-Terrain-Vehicle to go around the island. Dray considers himself a Filipino now and he’s excited about that. He calls Manny Pacquiao his cousin.”

Blatche and his group arrived from Boracay last Tuesday afternoon on a chopper that landed at the Meralco helipad. They changed clothes at the Business Solutions building then went to the House of Representatives for courtesy calls to Speaker Feliciano (Sonny) Belmonte and Rep. Robbie Puno. While at Speaker Belmonte’s office, Blatche met visiting Muslims and extended his hand in friendship with the Bangsamoro. “All of a sudden, Dray was involved in the peace process,” said Castro. Blatche accommodated requests to pose for photographs and sign autographs in Congress without hesitation.

From the Batasan, Blatche went to the Smart Araneta Coliseum to greet PBA commissioner Chito Salud, meet the press and watch a pair of Governors Cup games. At a press conference set up by the MVP Group’s sports media officer Virgil Villavicencio, Blatche swept the media off their feet. During the open forum, an unattended cellphone recording Blatche’s answers rang on the table in front of him. Blatche picked up the phone and said, “kumusta.” It turned out to be writer Musong Castillo calling another writer Waylon Galvez. The conversation was put on loud speaker and Blatche told Castillo, whom he had never met, to get over to the Araneta because everyone’s waiting, drawing laughs from the audience. “That’s how Dray is,” said Castro. “He’s a really nice guy, no airs and we’re lucky to have him with Gilas.”

Blatche sat beside PLDT chairman and SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan to watch the first half of the Talk ‘N’ Text-Barako Bull game then rode off to the airport to catch his midnight flight back to the US via Korea. Blatche promised to return soon and said he can’t wait to come back. There was one other thing. Blatche said he wouldn’t mind changing his name to Andray Pangilinan in honor of his chief benefactor.