GILAS 5 STILL AWAITING BLATCHE’S FIBA NOD

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has yet to submit the final lineup of Gilas Pilipinas for the Fiba Asia Championship in Lebanon, as coaches and the SBP leadership are still determining the final cuts and confirming the availability of Andray Blatche for the Aug. 8 to 20 event.

There are reportedly a number of shoo-ins like June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Terrence Romeo, Calvin Abueva and Jason Castro, but what could be the biggest issue facing the SBP right now is Blatche’s reluctance to go to Beirut because of security concerns.

The Inquirer broke the news on Monday that the naturalized Gilas ace has yet to give his nod even if the SBP has agreed to his astronomical fee.

“Not yet. Deadline is at 9 p.m.,” coach Chot Reyes told the Inquirer in a text message when asked if his staff had already forwarded the roster to Fiba.

The SBP initially thought that the deadline was 12 noon on Tuesday.

After winding up fourth in the Jones Cup that ended Sunday in Chinese Taipei, the team was given a break for a couple of days before Reyes’ 24-man pool is split into two.

One team, made up of PBA superstars, will play in the Fiba Asia, while the other will see action in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games starting Aug. 20 to try to win the 18th cage gold for the Philippines.

Reyes’ KL lineup will be bannered by Jones Cup veterans Kiefer Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Kobe Paras and Christian Standhardinger along with the other members of the Cadet program led by Von Pessumal.

Troy Rosario and Baser Amer, playing for TNT KaTropa and Meralco in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup, and Gabe Norwood will also join the SEA Games team.