PBA: NLEX eyeing Andray Blatche as import for Commissioner's Cup

Gilas Pilipinas center Andray Blatche may see action in the PBA after NLEX expressed interest in tapping the former NBA star as its import for the Commissioner's Cup.

 

"We're thinking about that, we'll ask SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) muna," NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez told reporters following their conference-ending defeat against the Alaska Aces on Thursday.

 

The Road Warriors finished their maiden tournament in the PBA with a quarterfinals s, putting up strong competition against seasoned PBA teams but often falling short in the endgame.

 

With the promise of starting anew in the Commissioner's Cup, NLEX is looking to upgrade its lineup starting from the import. Tournament rules allow lower-ranked teams to get the services of import players of unlimited height, with the 6-foot-11 Blatche a possible option.

 

Fernandez, however, admitted that it might be hard to forge a deal with the Gilas reinforcement.

 

"There's a rule na if you're gonna get Blatche ire-reto muna sa ibang teams who wants him," he said. "Kung ibibigay pa sa ibang teams hahanap na lang ako ng iba."

 

The coach said that NLEX is also considering a European-born or an Amerian-born import who can play on the wing and also in the low post to relieve Asi Taulava and Enrico Villanueva.

 

"We're trying to get the best possible import," said Fernandez. — JST, GMA News