Blatche continues to impress as Gilas sweeps Miami games

Manila, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas completed a two-game sweep of their tuneup games in their US training camp after hammering out a 93-84 win over Elev8 Sports Institute Sunday night (Monday morning Manila time) in Miami, Florida.

New naturalized big man Andray Blatche continued his impressive play, this time showing his extended range and his exceptional playmaking skills for his size even as Paul Lee and Jimmy Alapag hit their strides in this up-and-tempo game which Gilas controlled from the get-go.

Lee went off to a hot start against team Elev8, which featured four NBA D-League players and US NCAA players. The Rain or Shine star torched the Americans with 11 points, mostly off timely assists from Alapag, in the opening half as Gilas built a six-point lead, 45-39. Alapag, the Gilas skipper now on his final tour of national duty, hit big shots in the second half to help the team secure their second straight win. 

The Phl team played with a lot of energy and great ball movement to offset the height advantage of team Elev8 which had all players standing over 6-1.

Gilas Pilipinas vs Elev8 highlights produced by Sports5's Kuwentong Gilas executive producer Michael Villar

In the game dubbed by Chot Reyes as their real test following an easy 95-74 drubbing of the Miami Pro-Am selection a day earlier, Gilas showed fluidity and good chemistry in just their second game with the 27-year old and nine-year NBA veteran Blatche.

Chot's son Josh Reyes, one of his assistant coaches, summed up the game as something to build on as the FIBA World Cup gets nearer. 

Good game and win today vs the Elev8 selection. Great ball movement. We're getting better.… http://t.co/P8VNGzM7W4

— Josh Reyes (@josh_reyes) August 3, 2014

Gilas did some light workout before they go to Spain Wednesday for a series of tuneup games in Vittoria City and in Antebes, France against tough European national teams. 

The last workout of #GilasMiamiTrainingCamp pic.twitter.com/nGh2o9bKUY

— Chot Reyes (@coachot) August 4, 2014