Blatche finally headed to Manila for Gilas duties, apologizes for delay

Andray Blatche. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Andray Blatche is ready to don the Smart Gilas Pilipinas jersey once again.

The 6-foot-11 big man shared that he is set to rejoin the Philippine national basketball team’s training this weekend once he finishes his obligations with Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) club Xinjiang Flying Tigers.

READ: Blatche hints at return 10 days before World Cup

“Last game tomorrow then headed to Manila sorry for the hold up are season got pushed back but see [you all] soon,” he posted on his Instagram account @draylive.

Last game tomorrow then headed to Manila sorry for the hold up are season got pushed back but see yal soon

A post shared by Andray Blatche (@draylive) on Nov 15, 2017 at 7:43pm PST

Xinjiang is set to take on Zhejiang Guangsha Lions at home on Friday before Blatche flies straight to Manila for the Gilas practices.

READ: Gilas winds up 3-day training camp in Tagaytay

The Philippines only has a little over a week remaining before facing off against Japan in Tokyo for the first leg of the 2019 Fiba World Cup qualifiers on November 24. Gilas then heads home to take on Chinese Taipei at Smart Araneta Coliseum on November 27.

Blatche last donned the national tri-colors last May at the 2017 Seaba Championship.