DON’T be surprised to see Marcus Douthit on the national team to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Indonesia this November.
Although the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) worked double time for Douthit’s naturalization with a specific aim of inserting him on the Smart Gilas-Pilipinas team for the Asian Olympic qualifier in Wuhan, China, next month, the six-foot-11 American said he is interested at playing in Indonesia.
SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios told the BusinessMirror on Tuesday that Douthit has asked to be included on the squad coached by Norman Black.
“Yes, we submitted his name in the lineup. And it [Douthit playing] is a possibility, but it is not definite yet. Focus muna kami sa Wuhan,” said Barrios.
Gilas Pilipinas was honed for three years for the International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia Championship for Men from September 15 to 25 in Wuhan, the continent’s qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.
Douthit, 31, was recruited in mid-2009 and became a naturalized Filipino on March 11, giving the Philippine team a legitimate big man for Wuhan.
The SBP has looked at a team of collegiate stars in the Sea Games and a Douthit in the lineup is considered an overkill.
But Barrios said the SBP’s goal is to keep the crown on Philippine soil, no matter what.
“We are representing the country and defending the crown. There’s no ‘overkill’ when you are playing for the country. We can’t gamble or risk overconfidence, which is a much worse scenario,” said Barrios. “Sabi nga nila, better safe than sorry.”
Another Smart Gilas player, Chris Tiu, is being eyed to beef up the national team to the Sea Games. Tiu did not join the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft as he insisted his desire to play for the national team.
Far Eastern University’s Aldrech Ramos, also a Gilas player, declined Black’s invitation to join the team, saying he would need to rest after the University Athletic Association of the Philippines season.
The BusinessMirror later learned that the six-foot-seven Ramos was offered a slot on the San Miguel Beer team in the Asean Basketball League (ABL).
