'Import' Douthit gets FIBA OK

MANILA, Philippines – Here’s a piece of good news for Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, especially for American center Marcus Douthit.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the world governing body for basketball, has given former Los Angeles Lakers draftee the stamp of approval to play for the Philippine Team as a naturalized player in all its sanctioned events.

The decision was warmly welcomed by the 6-foot-11 Douthit and the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, which is currently in Jakarta, Indonesia for the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Men’s Championship.

In a letter to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Ivanka Toteva, who heads the FIBA Sport and Eligibility committee, confirmed that Douthit is now eligible to play for the national team after receiving “the national status” of the player.

A native of Syracuse in New York, the 31-year-old Douthit, who was drafted by the Lakers in 2004, said that he can now focus on just helping the team achieve its main goal, and that is to earn a slot in the 2012 Olympics in London.

“I’m glad to hear that. Now, I can really focus on helping the team without distractions,” said Douthit, who joined the team in July last year.

SBP executive director Renauld “Sonny” Barrios said that they’ve been expecting the FIBA decision since they have submitted the requirements needed to prove that Douthit had been granted naturalization by President Aquino.

“We’re expecting that, since we have all the necessary documents. It's very timely for the SEABA,” Barrios said. “That's one concern on our list, but all along we are confident because we complied in all the requirements of FIBA.”

Smart-Gilas Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman, on the other hand, said that guard Marcio Lassiter will not play in the SEABA.

“We have problems. Marcio injured his back again in practice (Wednesday),” Toroman said. “Marcio just fell on the floor in pain. He will not play in the SEABA but we have yet to get the opinion of the doctors.”

The SEABA meet offers three slots for the FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China scheduled Sept. 15 to 26, which is the qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics.

The national team is set to play Malaysia Thursday night at the BritAma Gym, host Indonesia Friday and Singapore Saturday. The top two teams will play in the Finals on Sunday.

Waylon Galvez, Manila Bulletin