Blatche cleared to play for Asian Games, says FIBA official

Looks like we'll be seeing the Andray Blatche show live in Incheon.

Top FIBA official Patrick Baumann has confirmed that Blatche is indeed eligible to play for the Philippine squad in the upcoming Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

“The player that you have prohibited entry is registered in FIBA’s eligibility system as a player for the Philippines and has, in fact, just played several games this past week at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain for that country,” FIBA said in a letter addressed to IAGOC secretary general Kwon Kyungsang, director general Jo Youngha and director Mun Hosung. “It is quite confusing to hear that he is not allowed to compete for the same team just a few weeks later."^[1]

^{The big man, who previously played for the Brooklyn Nets as a back-up for center Brook Lopez, has had a stellar showing in the recent 2014 FIBA World Cup, even though it was his debut in the international stage. He was one of the few people to average a double-double, garnering 21.2 points and 13.8 rebounds per contest.}

^{Without Blatche in the line-up, and the Filipino team nursing injuries with Paul Lee, Jayson Castro, and Marc Pingris, our gold-medal run may turn out to be as hard as winning in the World Cup.}

^{Thankfully, FIBA has said that their rules are implemented in the FIBA-sanctioned tournament, and therefore Blatche can suit up in blue-and-white come September 19.}

^{“I am sure therefore that there must be a misunderstanding and I would kindly request that you review your decision and apply FIBA’s regulations on eligibility for all teams participating in the basketball tournaments at the Asian Games and re-enlist the Filipino player,” the letter wrote. “This would certainly be fair for the athlete concerned and his country. Equally, if the same set of eligibility rules, namely that of the International Federation, is being applied to all international basketball events for national teams across the world, it ensures clarity for the media and the fans alike and credibility for the sport."[1]}

^{For the same reason, Chinese Taipei's Quincy Davis III was also disqualified. (GS)} 
 

^{[1]http://sports.inquirer.net/163506/andray-blatche-should-be-eligible-for-asian-games-says-fiba}