Blatche officially joins Gilas Pilipinas with #11 jersey

Filipino-American basketball star Andray Blatche officially joined the Gilas Pilipinas national team over the weekend, as the team prepared for the upcoming FIBA World Cup.

Blatche posted photos of his #11 jersey Saturday night (PHL time), along with the message that he was "very thankful."



Gilas Pilipinas on Sunday morning held its first practice sessions, with head coach Vincent "Chot" Reyes posting photos of the scrimmage on Twitter.

1st practice pic.twitter.com/ukQMyX4USM

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) July 26, 2014

Blatche, who played for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets last season, is joining the national team in Miami for an intense two-week training.

Coach Reyes was among those who tweeted their support for Blatche.

Mabuhay! #PlayPinoy "@drayblatche: Very thankful #puso http://t.co/6wWwMZb2Y8”

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) July 26, 2014
 
 
 

Team assistant coach Josh Reyes also posted photos of Blatche receiving his gear for the training camp.



"Andray Blatche officially joining us now," Josh Reyes tweeted, posting photos of Blatche with his Gilas Pilipinas teammates.



Gilas Pilipinas left Manila last Friday for a two-week training camp in Florida.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in Spain from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14. The Philippines is in Group B, together with Argentina, Croatia, Greece, Puerto Rico, and Senegal. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA News