Andray Blatche, Paul Lee officially named to Gilas Pilipinas roster for World Cup

Newcomers Andray Blatche and Paul Lee will join the Gilas Pilipinas squad that will compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup starting on August 30.

 

Philippine coach Chot Reyes made the announcement on Monday on his Twitter account.

 

Blatche, who spent this past season with the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA before acquiring Filipino citizenship, will take the place of another naturalized player Marcus Douthit in the lineup.

 

Rain or Shine star guard Lee, meanwhile, will take the spot of Larry Fonacier, who had earlier begged off from the team because of health reasons.

 

The two will join the same Gilas crew that won the silver medal in the FIBA Asia Championship last year, including Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, and Ranidel De Ocampo of Talk 'N Text; Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood of Rain or Shine; Japeth Aguilar and LA Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel; Gary David of Meralco; June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel Beer; and Marc Pingris of San Mig Coffee.

 

The same lineup will represent the Philippines in the Asian Games basketball tournament next month with the exception of team captain Alapag, who gave up his spot for that competition. Jared Dillinger of the Meralco Bolts will take Alapag's place for that tournament. — JST, GMA News