Blatche, Lee make it on Fiba team

Andray Blatche and Paul Lee of the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team have been chosen to complete the Philippine team to the World Cup in Spain.

The announcement was made early last night by Coach Chot Reyes who tweeted via his Twitter account, @coachot: “We are tapping Paul Lee to take Larry Fonacier’s spot & Andray Blatche as our naturalized player for the World Cup. God bless us all #PUSO!”

Shortly before the announcement, Gilas was whipped on Sunday by the Ukrainians with a score of 114-64; bringing an end to Gilas’ participation in the Antibes International basketball tournament held in France. Blatche and Lee did not play the game due to minor injuries.

Fonacier asked to be relieved from his spot on this year’s national team on account of various injuries, while Blatche will be filling the spot of Marcus Douthit, the Philippines’ original naturalized player.

Lee and Blatche will likewise play in the Incheon Asian Games, alongside Jared Dillinger, who takes over Jimmy Alapag’s position.

Alapag, however, will play the event in Spain.