Gilas manager optimistic on fielding complete roster for Asiad

INCHEON, South Korea – Gilas Pilipinas team manager Aboy Castro is confident that they will have a complete 12-man lineup in the 17th Asian Games ahead of the manager's meeting on Friday.

Castro downplayed reports that came out Thursday that Marcus Douthit may not be allowed to play as a replacement of ineligible Andray Blatche.

"It's a non-issue for us. The Olympic Council of Asia wrote us a letter that approved Douthit replacing Blatche in the lineup. The same was agreed upon during the Sept. 11 meeting with IAGOC (Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee)," Castro said before he entered the meeting room at Samsam World Gymnasium here.

Douthit along with Jimmy Alapag were included in the final lineup at the 11th hour for Blatche and the injured Jayson Castro.

Asked if some managers will question Douthit's inclusion in the lineup, Castro deferred to answer that after the meeting.

"We'll know that in an hour or two," he said.

Gilas Pilipinas will arrive here on Saturday night three days prior their first game against Group B topnotcher, which is expected to be Kazakhstan.