Gilas training update Blatche’s back; Pingris still no-show

MANILA, Philippines - Andray Blatche returned to practice after a two-day rest and pro-bound Moala Tautuaa showed up as a practice player as Gilas Pilipinas stepped up its training at the Meralco gym in Pasig Thursday.

Still a no-show at least until Thursday night was Marc Pingris even as he has reportedly returned from his French vacation Wednesday.

Gilas coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Butch Antonio are still hopeful Pingris will show up as he has told Philstar.com and another sports portal in a long-distance communication.

But Antonio told The STAR they haven’t heard anything straight from the energetic 6-foot-4 forward.

Following the cancellation of their boot camp in Turkey, Antonio said they’re now looking to hold a team-building session just outside Metro Manila after the MVP Cup on Sept. 11-13.

And if their travel documents are processed in time, Antonio said they would leave Monday for Estonia to vie in a pocket tourney versus national teams of Estonia, Iceland and the Netherlands. They have also confirmed their participation in the Jones Cup in Taipei Aug. 29-Sept. 6.

Time is running out on Pingris as his travel papers are also to be processed if he’s joining Gilas’ international trips.

For now, positive developments include the return of Blatche and the addition of Tautuaa in the training roster.

“Blatche is back. He’s joined five-on-five slowly,” said Antonio of Blatche, who took a rest Tuesday and Wednesday to heal a slight groin injury.

Still with health woes are Ranidel de Ocampo (pulled hamstring), Dondon Hontiveros (strained calf) and Terrence Romeo (flu virus).

Giving Asi Taulava and Sonny Thoss some breather Thursday was Tautuaa, the prospective top pick by Talk n Text in the coming PBA Rookie Draft.

Tautuaa, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Chadron State, has agreed to be a practice player and a “Plan B” (naturalized player backup) of the national team program of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

A dominant center in the PBA D-League, Tautuaa is a Filipino by his mother side. However, he’s categorized as a naturalized player under the new FIBA rules.

“He’s another example of a kid who makes the sacrifice, which he really doesn’t have to. I’m so proud of him,” said Baldwin.

“It’s fantastic to see him out there. He did really great out there. Our training was designed to be a review to help him get up to speed, and he learned it real quickly,” Baldwin also said.

Meanwhile, Blatche was back in practice though still in pain.

“He’s hard to keep off the court, which I love,” said Baldwin. “But he’s got to take care of himself.”