The Gilas connection remains strong for Kuya Dray.
It’s been a minute since Andray Blatche last played in the Philippines.
Even so, as soon as he returned, many of his former Gilas Pilipinas teammates are back into his contact, welcoming him with open arms.
Gabe Norwood, Asi Taulava, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Japeth Aguilar, and June Mar Fajardo.
“Majority of all the guys reached out to me," Blatche said Wednesday, listing guys like Gabe Norwood, Asi Taulava, Japeth Aguilar, June Mar Fajardo, and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser.
"I think Gabe, he has a podcast correct? He hit me about going to his podcast, I'mma do that. Asi, Matt, Japeth. I reached out to June Mar too,” he added.
Blatche is back to play with Strong Group Athletics, representing the Philippines in the Dubai International Basketball Championship. And while the team is busy getting right down to business, the Gilas brotherhood runs deep for Kuya Andray.
“They all reached out, they all said welcome back and I appreciate the love,” Blatche.
Blatche’s last stint with Gilas came in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. All in all, Andray played 34 FIBA-sanctioned games while wearing the Pilipinas jersey, averaging 18.4 points and 9.9 rebounds in multiple tour of duties that started in 2014.
Now with Strong Group, Blatche, along with other former NBA stars and a handful of young local talent, looks another source of pride for the country as they look to bring home the title from Dubai.