Blatche leaves Gilas to attend uncle's funeral, ailing mom

MANILA, Philippines -- Gilas Pilipinas suffered another tough blow in its build-up for the 2015 FIBA Asia Men's Championship as naturalized player Andray Blatche went back to the United States to attend his departed uncle's funeral and be with his ailing mother. 

Blatche left Taiwan at 10 a.m. on Saturday and will be back at the end of next week.  It was his uncle Steve, who took care of his cancer-stricken mother, while he was away playing basketball overseas. 

"Anybody who lost a close relative, and his uncle is close to him (Blatche), knows how tough it is," Gilas coach Tab Baldwin told Philstar.com last Wednesday after learning Blatche's situation.

READ: Grieving Blatche, Intal stay committed to Gilas

Taking in Blatche's spot in the Jones Cup will be PBA top rookie pick Moala Tautuaa, who serves as the team's naturalized back-up. Ranidel de Ocampo, who just got back from a hamstring injury, and Marc Pingris will also help along with Asi Taulava and Sonny Thoss to help fill the big void left by the former NBA player. 

The national team opens its Jones Cup campaign on Sunday against Chinese Taipei-Team A at 7 p.m.