Blatche joins Gilas practice

Andray Blatche’s first practice with Gilas Pilipinas. Photo by Denison Dalupang/Inquirer

Andray Blatche finally joined Gilas Pilipinas’ training for the Fiba World Cup Monday night at Meralco Gym in Ortigas, cranking up the Filipinos’ preparations for the global meet slated in China.

The naturalized big man arrived in Manila last Saturday morning and will join the national team’s twice-a-week training schedule counting Thursday nights.

Despite being visibly stockier, Blatche, now 32, blended well with the members of the training pool, which ran an assortment of half and full-court offensive plays.

“Until you get the feel! Until you get the feel!” national coach Yeng Guiao barked, as his players continued working in familiarizing themselves with the system.

Blatche’s last stint with the national team was during the Asian qualifiers in Kazakhstan, where he fired 41 points and pulled down 13 rebounds and led the Filipinos’ return to the World Cup.  Gilas is due to play in a pocket tournament in the same European country early August.