Andray Blatche arrives in PH for Gilas duty, jumps into action right away

MANILA, Philippines—Andray Blatche wasted no time in getting himself up to speed as he’s set to rejoin Gilas Pilipinas in the team’s preparation for the next window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Just hours after arriving in the Philippines late Friday, Blatche went to shootaround on Saturday morning with a handful of Rain or Shine players to acclimate himself to Yeng Guiao’s system at Meralco Gym.

Blatche has been recalled to join Gilas as they go up in their final two games of the tournament against Qatar and Kazakhstan.

The Philippines holds a 5-5 record for the fourth spot in Group F and is in danger of not making it to the World Cup since only the top three in both groups and the better of the fourth seeds would qualify for the games in China.

Australia, the top seed in Group F, and Group E teams New Zealand, Korea, and China have already qualified for the World Cup.

Lebanon, the no.4 team in Group E, holds a 6-4 record and own a full-game advantage over the Philippines.

Blatche also has limited time in the Philippines since he’ll only stay in the country until Feb. 10 before going back to China and return to the Tianjin Gold Lions in the Chinese Basketball Associaion.

Blatche will rejoin Gilas later in the month when the Filipinos face the Qataris on Feb. 21.