SEA Games five can survive without Douthit, says Black

MANILA—The collegiate-based national basketball team set to see action in the Southeast Asian Games still has enough firepower even with naturalized center Marcus Douthit likely skipping the regional tournament set in Jakarta next month.

National coach Norman Black said the squad still has the “most talented players” led by Ateneo star Greg Slaughter even if Douthit decides to play for the Foshan Dralions in the Chinese league.

“With the talent level of this team offensively, we can probably go out and run,” Black said in yesterday’s Scoop Forum at Kamayan Padre Faura.

“We’ll be a fastbreaking team, but at the same time, I’m more concerned on the defensive end of the court. They know the system already, and now, we just have to work on the execution.”

The 6-foot-11 Douthit, whose contract with Smart Gilas expires by the end of the year, has received a five-month offer to play as an import in China.

Black said the young Philippine squad still boasts a solid cast of big men led by the seven-foot Slaughter, San Sebastian’s Ian Sangalang and Far Eastern University’s Aldrech Ramos, whom the multititled mentor plans to invite if Douthit begs off.

Although the team has submitted its 12-man lineup to the SEA Games, Black said he’ll still likely tweak the roster. Teams are allowed to change their lineups until the managers’ meeting.

“We haven’t really settled on the final 12 yet,” said Black, who just steered Ateneo to a fourth straight UAAP championship.

“We have a pool of 18 players and we’ll choose from there. On chemistry, I don’t see that as a problem if you can get guys committed to just one goal, which is to win the championship. The players are willing to sacrifice, they have good attitude and they work hard.”

Aside from Slaughter, Black tapped Ateneo standouts Nico Salva, Kiefer Ravena, Emman Monfort and Justin Chua.

National University’s Ray Parks and  Far Eastern University’s RR Garcia, the MVPs in the last two UAAP seasons, are also in the national pool along with University of Santo Tomas’ Jeric Teng, San Sebastian’s Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual, San Beda’s Jake Pascual and Garvo Lanete.

Rounding up the pool are Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu and Filipino-Americans Clifford Hodge and Chris Ellis of PBA  D-League champion NLEX, Chris Newsome and Keith Jensen.

“We have the most talented players in this part of the world, but of course we can’t really bank on that going into the tournament,” said Black. “You have to get the team together and make sure they’re well-trained. Right now, everybody’s committed to go full speed and we have five weeks to get it done.”