Douthit set the bar high for future naturalized players—Alapag

Marcus Douthit FILE PHOTO

Marcus Douthit has long since been out of the Gilas program, yet the impact of the formerly naturalized player is still felt even until now.

Thus said Jimmy Alapag on Thursday, adding Douthit was a great representative of the Gilas program.

“It’s no secret what Marcus did for the program; the program wouldn’t be really where it is without his contribution,” Alapag said after the Gilas training at Meralco Gym. “[We’ve seen] the way he embraced the team, the way he played with Gilas 1 and 2, and how he embraced what being a Filipino is.”

Douthit helped the Philippines bag the silver medal in the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship but did not play during the 2014 World Cup as new naturalized import Andray Blatche replaced him.

Still the impact, Douthit left would be the barometer for Blatche and future imports, Alapag said.

He sets the bar high for Dray and whoever comes in the future.”

With Douthit, dubbed as the Pambansang Kuya (the National Big Brother), gone, Alapag said it’s up to him, Asi Taulava, and Dondon Hontiveros to play the role of the older statesman in the team.

“Asi, Dondon and I are the youngest here,” Alapag said with a laugh. “We just want to help the young guys Mo (Moala Tautuaa), Troy (Rosario), Terrence (Romeo), and Calvin (Abueva) with our personal experiences through the years…these guys who would be really part of the Gilas program for years to come.”