Blatche hints at return 10 days before World Cup qualifiers begin

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas has yet to reunite with Andray Blatche, but it’s only a matter of time before the naturalized big man rejoins the team.

Blatche has been tapped to lead the Philippines in its Fiba World Cup qualifiers bid, set to start on November 24 in Japan, and the former NBA veteran hinted at his soonest return.

“Be back with my brothers real soon to take care of business #puso,” Blatche wrote on his Instagram account.

The 31-year-old Blatche hasn’t donned the national team colors since leading Gilas to a sweep in the Seaba Championship last May here in Manila.

He was supposed to be with Gilas in the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup in Lebanon but pulled out due to security reasons.

Gilas started its buildup on Nov. 3 with a closed-door session and has since been holding twice-a-day trainings.

After Sunday’s morning practice, the team left for Tagaytay on Sunday for its three-day training camp.

Apart from Blatche, four-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and Jayson Castro are also expected to lead Gilas’ bid to return to the World Cup.