Douthit shines as Smart Gilas gains final

American Marcus Douthit boosted his worth as naturalization prospect as the Smart Gilas Pilipinas five downed Chinese Taipei-Pure Youth, 84-77, Saturday night to reach the finals of the 4th Asian Basketball Association Club Championship in Haining, China. Douthit dished out a well-rounded effort of 26 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as the Filipinos sealed a championship showdown with Korea Samsung Thunder.

Smart Gilas captain Chris Tiu also shone with 12 points on top of eight boards and three assists. “It’s already an accomplishment and I hope we’ll go all the way,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim of the Filipinos’ strong showing in their buildup for the November Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. Since dominating a weak invitational tournament also in China last year, the nationals best performance so far was a bronze-medal finish in the import-laced Dubai International last January. “He’s an important piece in our Olympic quest,” said Lim of the 6-foot-10 Douthit, whose application  for naturalization has been filed in Congress. With Douthit hopefully in tow, Smart Gilas will try to nail a slot in the 2012 London Olympics when it campaigns in the Fiba Asia Championship in Beirut next year.