CHANGSHA – Hamed Haddadi, Asia’s most dominant center since Yao Ming, seemed to have found his match in Andray Blatche.
Or Blatche has taken over Haddadi’s place.
Despite a slight ankle injury, Blatche showed up the Iranian behemoth, winning their matchup in Gilas Pilipinas’ 87-73 whipping of Iran.
Blatche collected 18 points, seven rebounds, four steals, two blocks and one assists against one turnover while Haddadi was good for only 10 markers, seven boards, one steal and one block against two errors.
The 7-2 Iranian giant fouled out on an infraction against Calvin Abueva quickly followed by a technical foul incurred for his verbal complaints in frustration.
But for Blatche, it’s just another day in the office.
“It’s not a statement game. We just executed well, we attacked and got the win. I felt we prepared ourselves for this moment. We came out and did what we were supposed to do,” said Blatche.
Gilas coach Tab Baldwin felt Blatche is a talent Haddadi had never faced before in Asian basketball.
“Or Hamed doesn’t see a player like Blatche enough. That size and smartness of Blatche, it may have caused Hamed to pause and be tentative,” said Baldwin.
Blatche may still not be in his old form, but Baldwin said: “He’s such a smart, strong and intelligent player.”
“It certainly helped us today. But who knows when we meet again,” Baldwin also said.