No doubt, Douthit a boost to Phl five

MANILA, Philippines - The naturalization of American Marcus Douthit will benefit Philippine basketball in the long run as he is expected to provide present and future national squads the needed height and heft the team lacked in past international competitions.

 “It’s great for Philippine basketball,” said Smart Gilas Pilipinas coach Rajko Toroman. “The national team will be very competitive with a big player like Marcus (Douthit) for the next four to five years.

“He’s been practising and training really hard to stay in good shape for the PBA and in the long run will benefit Phl basketball,” said the Serbian mentor.

“It’s really a welcome development for Smart Gilas and Philippine basketball as a whole,” Smart Gilas manager Frankie Lim, for his part, said.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas the other day bared that the 6-10 Douthit’s naturalization papers is now up for signing by President Aquino after the documents were already forwarded to the Palace last Feb. 9.

SBP executive director Noli Eala said the Chief Executive has until March 11 to sign and give Douthit Bill, which is known as House Bill 2307, the green-go to make it a law.

The Nationals are now preparing for this September’s FIBA-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China where a lone berth to the London Olympics in 2012 is at stake.

The five-year projection of Douthit playing for the country could stretch not just until the 2012 London Games but also up to the 2016 quadrennial summer games.