Gilas to field complete roster as Douthit cleared to play in Asiad

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas will be fielding a complete 12-man lineup that includes naturalized player Marcus Douthit in the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

This after Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan himself expressed delight that Douthit has been cleared to play after Friday morning’s managers’ meeting at the Samsam World Gymnasium in Incheon. Gilas manager Aboy Castro represented the Philippines in the said meeting.

The Phl was earlier bracing for opposition to the inclusion of Douthit in the Gilas lineup as replacement for the disqualified Andray Blatche.  

Pangilinan took to Twitter to announce the development.

Technical meeting done! No issues. We will play with a 12-man roster including Marcus.

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) September 19, 2014

Better chance. Let's go for Gold! PUSO ! Laban Pilipinas!

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) September 19, 2014

Gilas will play their first game on Tuesday, September 23, against the Group B topnotcher in the qualification phase, which is expected to be Kazakhstan, before the much-awaited clash with FIBA Asia champion Iran on Thursday.