The Philippine team no longer has the firepower of Andray Blatche in the 17th Asian Games.
In a report by The Philippine Star, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) brought the issue of Blatche's eligibility to play to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) after they failed to get the approval of the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee and the OCA Asian Games Department.
SBP sent a letter to the OCA, which stated, "We have exerted our best efforts to persuade OCA about this 'misunderstanding' of the eligibility rules for more than two months. It is our sincere hope that this 'misunderstanding' would not lead the SBP to consider any alternative other than to participate, considering that the Games are due to start in less than two weeks."
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, OCA even denied the request of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to let Blatche play with Gilas Pilipinas in the upcoming 17th Asian Games.
The OCA forwarded its rejection on September 8. According to Haider Farman, a member of the OCA, although Blatche became a naturalized Filipino, he lacked the three-year residency requirement in the Philippines. Thus, the former Brooklyn Net was deemed ineligible to play in the Asian tournament.
Ricky Vargas, vice chair of the SBP, stated that the Philippine team may altogether skip the Asian tournament, which commences on September 19, due to the absence of Blatche. The Asian Games for 2014 will be held in Incheon, South Korea.
In an article by Rappler.com, Vargas said, "Sad. They (OCA) probably saw how we played with Blatche. The games are going to be done in Incheon, South Korea. If you compare how we played in the FIBA Worlds with Blatche, we'd probably have a bigger chance of winning the gold medal." He added, "We want to be able to send the best team we can give. We cannot just not try and allow these things to happen without fighting for our rights."
According to Vargas, the team has three options after being denied by the OCA. First, they can still play in the Asian Games and use Marcus Douthit, Gilas Pilipinas' other naturalized player. Second, they can skip the tournament completely. Third, they can appeal the matter regarding Blatche with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Vargas cited that the SBP has a final chance to appeal the OCA's decision at the delegation registration meeting in Incheon on September 11 and 12.