Douthit keys Smart Phl romp vs Singapore

MANILA, Philippines - Marcus Douthit powered his way to 21 points as the Philippines overpowered Singapore, 96-58, yesterday at the start of the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Douthit proved unstoppable in the lanes, scoring almost at will to finish with the game-high output he spiked with seven rebounds while former Smart Gilas skipper Chris Tiu came away with five assists.

The Nationals are tipped to sweep the five-team, six-day tournament serving as a qualifying event for the FIBA Asia Cup, formerly known as the Stankovic Cup, in Tokyo, Japan.

Smart Gilas dominated this event last year in Jakarta, Indonesia, winning by an average margin of 40 points.

They play the Indonesians next before taking on the Malaysians and the hosts.

Backstopping Team Phl are Alaska Milk’s LA Tenorio, who had three assists, Sonny Thoss and Mac Baracael and FEU’s Aldrech Ramos, both former Gilas 1 mainstays like Douthit and Tiu. 

Also in the squad are San Beda’s Garvo Lanete, Dave Marcelo and Borgie Hermida, Ateneo’s Emman Monfort and University of the Philippines’ Woody Co.

The Nationals will go up against Asian powerhouse China, Lebanon and Macau in the Tokyo tilt.