Gilas Pilipinas practices with Andray Blatche for 2nd straight day

Andray Blatche practices with Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.bet

Gilas Pilipinas was back at work for the second straight night on Tuesday at Meralco Gym in Pasig.

The Nationals had 12 players present, including Andray Blatche, who just rejoined the team on Monday.

Guard Jayson Castro and forward Japeth Aguilar were in attendance but did not participate.

Castro said he just needed to take a breather after having no rest for two straight weeks while Aguilar is nursing a minor ankle injury he sustained in Barangay Ginebra’s win over Columbian on Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Among those who continued to put the work in were June Mar Fajardo, Paul Lee, Marcio Lassiter, Troy Rosario, Poy Erram, Gabe Norwood, Roger Pogoy, Mark Barroca, Scottie Thompson and Blatche, who is noticeably in top shape.

Raymond Almazan, Christian Standhardinger and Thirdy Ravena were absent.

Gilas is preparing for its crucial last two games on the road in the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers against Qatar on February 21 and Kazakhstan on February 24.