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| The Asian Games Organizing Committee remained firm on its original decision to bar Andray Blatche from playing for Gilas despite a call from FIBA to ho- nor his eligibility. Aaron Favila/AP |
By Ivan Saldajeno
Despite being persuaded by the International Basketball Federation, the Asian Games Organizing Committee stood by its decision not to allow Andray Blatche to play for the Philippines in the upcoming games in Incheon, South Korea.
In the reply letter, in which a copy was obtained by Naver, the organizing committee said that it will stand by its original ruling requiring naturalized players to reside in the participating country for at least three years before becoming eligible to play.
FIBA, through secretary general Patrick Baumann, requested for Blatche to be allowed to play for Gilas as he is eligible as per the rules set by the said organization.
The Asiad organizing committee, however, said that it was the Olympic Council of Asia who made the rules and that OCA will not make amendments to them.
The organizing committee, on the other hand, advised Gilas to find a replacement player for Blatche. Marcus Douthit will likely take Blatche's spot.
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