Gilas, Blatche’s China club set for collision course in Fiba Asia Champions Cup

Philippines’ center Andray Blatche dunks the ball against Singapore. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas and Andray Blatche are likely to reunite in the 2017 Fiba Asia Champions Cup slated later in the month in Chenzhou, China.

But it won’t be a typical reunion.

The Philippines and its naturalized player Andray Blatche will be on opposing sides with the former NBA veteran leading the way for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, which will carry the name China Kashgar, his mother ball club in the Chinese Basketball League.

Blatche carried China in the 2016 edition of the tournament, featuring 10 club teams from Asia, averaging closing to 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game.

Aside from Blatche, China will also parade American guard Darius Adams, who was last year’s scoring leader norming 23.1 points a contest.

National team coach Chot Reyes announced Gilas’ participation Tuesday. The team, which replaced Japan, will carry the Chooks To Go banner.

The last time a club team from the Philippines ruled the tournament was in 1996.