Gilas back in practice as Andray Blatche leaves for China

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Gilas Pilipinas went back to work Monday night for its first practice since Andray Blatche flew back to China earlier in the day.

Blatche joined Gilas last week but his stay was only for a short period of time as he had to be back with his mother ball club in the Chinese Basketball Association.

The former NBA veteran will rejoin Gilas on February 16 in Doha, six days before the Nationals take on Qatar in the sixth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.

The team had 10 players in attendance with Raymond Almazan, Paul Lee, Thirdy Ravena, Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Gabe Norwood, Mark Barroca, Poy Erram and Marcio Lassiter.

Gilas is in a must-win situation in its final two games on the road, including a duel against Kazakhstan on February 24, of the qualifiers after going 1-3 in its previous four outings.

Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar and June Mar Fajardo missed practice.