Toroman sees medal even minus Douthit

MANILA—Smart Gilas national squad coach Rajko Toroman doesn’t doubt the probability of a medal in basketball in the Asian Games —even without Marcus Douthit.

“It’s going to be tough without him (Douthit),” said Toroman. “But I still believe that we have a good team capable of winning a medal.

“It will be totally different if Marcus is on the team. The results could be better.”

The Serbian mentor of the RP basketball team said the 6-foot-10 Douthit is perfect for Smart Gilas at the post, noting his quickness and his ability to bang it up with frontline players from other countries.

Despite the uncertainty of including Douthit in the Asiad lineup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas lauded Congress for its effort to facilitate the naturalization of the American.

“The SBP is grateful to both houses of Congress for helping boost the RP basketball campaign in the Asiad,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala.

“We never expected that [Douthit’s] naturalization would come so close to being approved in such a short period of time.”

The Senate failed to take up Douthit’s application for naturalization on third reading Wednesday due to the lack of a three-day notice period. The House had earlier approved the application.

Malacañang also did not act on an SBP request to certify the naturalization process as urgent, a requirement for the Senate to dispense with the three-day rule.

The Senate will take a recess starting today and resume its session on Nov. 8, less than a week before the Guangzhou Asiad fires off on Nov. 12.

Eala said the SBP is thankful for the support of Antipolo Rep. Ronnie Puno and Sen. Miguel Zubiri who sponsored the measure.