Blatche due here today for 2 stints with Gilas

MANILA, Philippines - Andre Blatche is well on his way to Manila to reinforce Gilas Pilipinas when it vies in two major international competitions this year.

And unless he gets stranded somewhere, the 6-foot-11 center of the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA should be in town by 10 a.m. today.

Gilas head coach Chot Reyes broke news of Blatche’s arrival on Twitter at noon yesterday, and immediately, Pinoy fans rejoiced.

“He’s on the plane. Arriving tomorrow 10 a.m. Andray Blatche is coming to town,” was all Reyes needed to say.

Blatche himself must be so excited to come here that his last post on his Twitter account said, “Kumusta Manila!”

Reyes added that Blatche will be at ringside for today’s PBA matches.

It will be the first taste and glimpse of Philippine basketball for Blatche, who was tapped for naturalization by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Members of the Senate and the Lower House, led by Sen. Sonny Angara and Antipolo Rep. Robbie Puno, threw their full support on the SBP move although everybody’s still waiting for President Aquino to sign Blatche’s papers.

The FIBA World Cup will take place  Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain to be followed immediately by the Asian Games Sept. 19-Oct. 4 in Incheon, South Korea.

Blatche’s presence in the two tournaments will certainly beef up the Gilas campaign.