MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas resumed its buildup for the sixth and final window of the World Cup qualifiers on Monday, February 11, sans the services of naturalized player Andray Blatche.

The national team will be without the former NBA player for almost a week after he left the country for China on Monday to honor his commitments with Chinese Basketball Association team Tianjin Gold Lions.

Blatche, who had been practicing with Gilas since February 4, will be back as he reunites with the team in Qatar on February 16. 

The Filipinos have less than a week to gear up for their must-win battle against the Qataris on February 21. 

Only 10 men were present in the practice, headed by mainstays Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, and Paul Lee. 

Marcio Lassiter, Poy Erram, Raymond Almazan, Roger Pogoy, Mark Barroca, Thirdy Ravena, and Troy Rosario completed the squad.

Missing in action were Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, who just came off Barangay Ginebra’s out-of-town PBA game in Davao on Saturday, February 9, and June Mar Fajardo, who was feeling under the weather. – Rappler.com