Andray Blatche was nothing short of incredible in the final FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers window.

There seems to be one door that remains shut in his face, however — the Philippine Basketball Association

He carried the Philippines to two crucial victories and was instrumental in ensuring Team Pilipinas’ return to the FIBA World Cup stage.

Blatche played a total of eight games in the entire Asian Qualifiers, averaging 16 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.1 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.6 triples per game. With Blatche as anchor, the Philippines finished with a 7-win, 5-loss card, good enough for fourth place in Group F and the final FIBA Asia berth.

Blatche is on his fifth year as a naturalized player for the Philippines. He first saw action for the national team in the Spain 2014 World Cup, helping the Filipinos register one win in five games.

After that, he suited up in the 2015 FIBA Asia Cup, leading the Philippines to a second place finish behind host China. He was also there when the Philippines hosted one of the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Manila.

Blatche missed the 2014 Asian Games and the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup. The Philippines tumbled to 7th place in both competitions.

The 6’11 center also missed the 2018 Asian Games, where, despite having NBA player Jordan Clarkson in tow, the Filipinos fell short of the semifinals.

In all, Blatche’s contributions to the Philippine national basketball program have been staggering. More often, the Philippines looked much stronger with him. Frankly speaking, he possesses a skill-set unmatched by any player approximating his size in the country.

There seems to be one door that remains shut in his face, however — the Philippine Basketball Association.

Blatche, despite being technically a Filipino who should benefit from all the rights and privileges given to any other Filipino, may not just play in the PBA.

This was made clear a few days ago when PBA Board chairman Ricky Vargas categorically closed the door Blatche in the PBA — at least in the foreseeable future.

The reasons, according to Vargas: “First, he’ll not pass the 6-foot-10 height limit. Second, he cannot be an exception.”

Remember that naturalized big man Marcus Douthit was previously able to suit up in the PBA. He played for Air21 Express around a year after representing the Philippines in the 2011 FIBA Asia Cup and then returned to the league in 2015 for the Blackwater Elite.

First, let me say that Blatche is obviously not the prototypical naturalized player. Unlike most other naturalized players in Asia, Blatche has vastly more significant experience playing at the highest level — the NBA —- and has also won a title in the Chinese Basketball Association, widely considered the toughest pro league outside of the NBA and Euroleague.

Also, unlike other FIBA Asia naturalized players, Blatche was primarily contracted by the Philippines first and foremost for national team duty, which is in stark contrast with others like Korea’s Ricardo Ratliffe or Japan’s Nick Fazekas, who first toiled in their respective countries’ pro leagues before being naturalized.

The issue, at least the way I see it, from the PBA’s vantage point, is Blatche’s caliber to play will not be without prejudice to the chances of the other teams to land someone just as talented.

It’s a tricky issue and perhaps a slippery slope the PBA doesn’t want to engage.

Having said that, the PBA’s statement of Blatche’s not meeting the required 6’10 height limit may come to fans as unsatisfactory at best and pernicious at worst.

Still, the PBA is not run by the fans but by the board. They say Blatche cannot be allowed to play and imply that it’s not in the best interest of the PBA. So be it.