Guiao lauds Blatche for quick adjustment to his system

Andray Blatche is making the most of his time to learn Yeng Guiao's system. Dennis Jerome Acosta/Dugout Philippines

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—Coach Yeng Guiao is just hats off to Andray Blatche for being quick to adjust to his system.

“He’s picked up on the pace really quick,” Guiao said on Monday night after the Gilas Pilipinas practice at the Meralco Gym.

Blatche finally practiced for Gilas ahead of the final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

[Related Story: Blatche makes Gilas practice return]

The 6-foot-11 naturalized player arrived in the Philippines on Friday, and he did not waste his time learning Guiao’s system.

“He was on practice this morning with NLEX. We ran the same plays. And then, on Saturday he practiced with Rain or Shine. We ran the same plays,” Guiao bared how Blatche’s weekend went.

In fact, Guiao bared that Blatche will rejoin the Road Warriors’ practice on Wednesday.

The day before, the national team will resume training.

“He’s putting in enough time and repetitions for him to be able to memorize the plays. I think he’s just doing fine with the absorption of the system, the patterns, and getting to know the rest of the guys,” Guiao added. “We’re just trying to get as much time and as much familiarization with the plays while he’s here.”

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