Ang tipo ni Reyes na naturalized player...

MANILA, Philippines - Sinabi ni Gilas coach Chot Reyes na naghahanap ang Samahang basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) ng mas bata, mas malaki, mas ma-lakas at mas magaling na gagawing naturalized Filipino player para makapalit ni Marcus Douthit paglaon.

Sa ngayon, ang 2004 Los Angeles Lakers se-cond round draft pick mula Providence College  na si Douthit muna ang aasahan sa FIBA World Cup sa Spain sa susunod na taon.

“I don’t think anyone will begrudge us if we start looking around,” sabi ni Reyes.  “We’ve talked about it with Marcus and his agent.  Actually, Marcus’ contract is up soon because we signed him up only until the FIBA-Asia Championships.  Obvious-ly, things are now going to change because we’re playing in Spain. A lot of things can happen between now and Spain, guys could get injured or whatever.  If you ask me, I’d like eve-ryone on our FIBA-Asia team to go to Spain either as regular or reserve players, they certainly deserve it, they earned the trip.  But at the same time, I’m open to tweaking the lineup.”

Ayon pa kay Reyes, hindi madaling maghanap ng import  para i-natura-lize Pinoy.  “It’s not just about basketball skills, it’s also the willingness to fight for our country,” paliwanag niya.  “Take Marcus for instance.  He really loves it here, he’s got his two kids enrolled in schools in Manila. Some international coaches tell me there are guys better than Marcus out there but I’m saying Marcus is a guy who’ll fight for our country because his heart is with us.  Even before the FIBA-Asia Championships, we already talked to Marcus about our plans for the future.  It’s not that we’re replacing him right away, it’s just that we want continuity in the Gilas program and looking forward, we’ll be needing a younger guy.  We’re lucky we found Marcus because it’s tough to find someone willing to be naturalized, play for our country and stay here.”

Ayon kay Reyes, ang tipo niyang player na ina-naturalize ay tulad ni Rob Dozier ng Alaska na nahirang na Best Import sa nakaraang Commissioner’s Cup.

 â€œI’d like a Dozier-type if Dozier himself isn’t available,” sabi ni Reyes.  “Someone who can play different positions, who can play power forward, small forward and center, someone who can create a mismatch depending on where he plays.  I think Dozier is a great rebounder, he’s quick and he can run with us.  He also has a good outside game.  I’d really like an import with a crack three-point shot. We don’t necessarily need a seven-footer although I certainly wouldn’t mind a seven-foot shooter with a perimeter game like a Ke-vin Durant.  The problem is Durant is in the NBA.”