Andray Blatche expected to arrive in Manila before week ends

Despite some hiccups, Andray Blatche is ready to beef up SMART Gilas Pilipinas

The naturalized center updated his fellow Filipinos via Instagram on Thursday afternoon, saying that he is about to head to the country after his game tomorrow, Friday. Blatche is currently in China for the Xinjiang Flying Tigers’ CBA campaign.

“Last game tomorrow then headed to Manila,” said Blatche in his post. “Sorry for the hold-up. Our season got pushed back but see y’all soon.”

Last game tomorrow then headed to Manila sorry for the hold up are season got pushed back but see yal soon

A post shared by Andray Blatche (@draylive) on Nov 15, 2017 at 7:43pm PST

The 31-year-old naturalized Filipino is set to arrive in the country before the week ends. He was actually expected to come on Monday night, according to SMART Gilas Piliipinas officials, but the trip did not push through due to unspecified reasons.

As soon as he lands, Blatche will just have a few days of preparing and getting along with his fellow Nationals for the November 24 opener of the 2018 FIBA Asia World Cup Qualifiers against Japan, which will take place in Tokyo.