Reyes: Blatche ‘remains committed’ to Gilas

Gilas Pilipinas vs New Zealand in a Fiba OQT match at Mall of Asia Arena. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes said on Sunday Andray Blatche remains all in with the national team program.

“He remains committed,” he said after announcing his 24-man pool for future international tournaments on Sunday.

However, Reyes acknowledges the complexities that comes with Blatche’s career in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he is on his third season with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

“The only issue with Andray is the schedule he has in China,” he said.

So far, Blatche is averaging 24.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.7 blocks for the third-seed Xinjiang in the CBA.

Reyes hopes the 30-year-old naturalized Filipino’s schedule won’t coincide with the international tournaments the country will participate in.

“Hopefully, the Seaba and other tournaments are not in conflict with it,” he said.

Reyes also said the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is looking for naturalized players to be part of the pool in the long run.

Reyes said assistant Josh Reyes is already in Toronto, Canada for the 2017 NBA D-League Showcase and coach Jong Uichico will follow suit on Monday.

“We continue to look for other naturalized players.”