NATURALIZED player Andray Blatche expressed his disappointment after being left out of coach Yeng Guiao's 20-man Team Pilipinas pool for the next window of games in the 2019 Fiba World Cup Asian qualifiers.
The 32-year-old big man took it to Instagram to express his feelings on the latest development of his career with the national team, writing, "Lost and confused," accompanied by a photo which read: "Welp. Good luck fellas."
Guiao announced his pool on Tuesday and left Blatche out of the list for the games on November 30 against Kazakhstan and December 3 versus Iran, both home games at Mall of Asia Arena.
Blatche is currently serving three-game suspension stemming from his involvement in that now-infamous brawl against Australia last July. That was set to elapse in this window, making him available for the much-awaited clash against Iran on December.
He also deleted his earlier Instagram post where he said: "War ready waiting on that phone call for these two upcoming games."
Guiao, though, assured that the 6-foot-11 slotman is still part of Team Philippines' plans in the future, especially heading into the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China.
Unfortunately for Blatche, who is averaging 11.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in the first round of the Asian qualifiers, this window is not part of that.
The 20-man pool included new faces in cadets Kai Sotto and Ricci Rivero, veterans Arwind Santos and LA Tenorio, and returnees Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario, both of whom will serve out the last of their three-game suspensions.
June Mar Fajardo will also make his national team return after dealing with a shin injury, joining San Miguel teammates Christian Standhardinger, Alex Cabagnot, and Marcio Lassiter, who were both part of the pool from the September window.
Completing the list are Gabe Norwood, Stanley Pringle, Greg Slaughter. Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Matthew Wright, Poy Erram, and Beau Belga.
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