Veteran Douthit named in Philippines squad

MANILA (FIBA Basketball World Cup/2015 FIBA Asia Championship) - A couple of thoughts immediately spring to mind for international basketball fans in the Philippines when the subject is Marcus Douthit.

First and foremost is the impact the naturalized Filipino has had on his adopted homeland's national team, including in 2013 when he led Gilas in scoring and rebounding at the FIBA Asia Championship and helped them clinch a spot in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Douthit was a real beast in the low post and not just on offense, but with his shot-blocking as well.

For a team that had not featured in FIBA's flagship event since 1974, Douthit's contributions to the cause will have endeared him to the hoops faithful in Manila.

The other strong memory was the decision that was made to use the Gilas naturalized spot on Andray Blatche at the World Cup and not Douthit, which in hindsight looks to have been a sound decision.

The versatile, 2.10m pivot Blatche averaged more than 21 points and almost 14 rebounds for Gilas in the Group Phase in Seville, where the team played in five close games and even defeated Senegal.

Blatche was a good fit.

Douthit returned to the Philippines squad for the 2014 Asia Cup and this week, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have announced that he has been included in the Sinag Pilipinas team that will compete at the Southeast Asia Basketball Association Championship in Singapore later this month.

The center's experience will be needed as the Philippines set out to book a place in the 2015 Asian Championship that will be held in China later this year.

Kiefer Ravena, the reigning most valuable player of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, is also in the squad, as well as Ray Parks Jr., Mac Belo, Troy Rosario and Kevin Ferrer.

Scottie Thompson, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) MVP, Glenn Khobuntin, Almond Vosotros, Norbert Torres, Jio Jalalon and Russel Escoto are also in.

Ravena, speaking to the Filipino media, said: "I'm confident with the players who were selected.

"I trust the coaching staff with their decision and I’m looking forward to playing with the new Sinag team.

We need to work on our cohesiveness inside the court - Ravena

"Especially with limited practice time, we have to make the most of what we have and make every training day an opportunity to get better as a team."

Tab Baldwin, who was put in charge of the Philippines national team program earlier this year, decided not to include Jeron Teng, who led the Archers to the UAAP title last year and was named Finals MVP.

Arnold Van Opstal, Prince Rivero, Thirdy Ravena and Baser Amer were also deemed surplus to requirements.

FIBA