Andray Blatche. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Andray Blatche, barring any injuries, will finally join Gilas Pilipinas in the next couple of days and will reinforce the Filipinos in their first two Fiba Asia Qualifying games against Japan and Chinese Taipei.
The 6-foot-11 Blatche, Team PH’s naturalized player, will play Xinjiang’s final game for the year in the China Basketball Association slated Friday night.
Blatche was set to arrive Nov. 12 but apparently, failed to get a leave from the Flying Tigers.
Xinjiang’s next game will be in January, and that poses another problem for the Gilas coaching staff as the Filipinos will play the Taiwanese and Australia in February.
Reports reaching the Gilas camp say that Blatche could flaunt his best form yet in a Team PH uniform.
Gilas flies out for Japan on Nov. 21 to play the Japanese before coming home to tangle with the Taiwanese three days later at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Their next games in February are away matches against Chinese Taipei and Australia.
June Mar Fajardo, the reigning four-time PBA MVP, Jason Castro, Calvin Abueva, Gabe Norwood, Terrence Romeo, Matthew Wright and RR Pogoy are the consensus shoo-ins for the final 12-man lineup in Tokyo.