Douthit leads Gilas Pilipinas to tuneup win vs import-laced Malaysia Dragons

Naturalized center Marcus Douthit led Gilas Pilipinas to victory, 85-81, in the team's tuneup match against the Westports Malaysia Dragons on Sunday at Meralco Gym.

Douthit finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds for Gilas, which is gearing up to compete for the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China next week.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel point guard LA Tenorio added 14 points and 10 assists for Gilas, which is beginning its buildup for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August.

Newcomer Jay Washington of GlobalPort added 13 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Ginebra high-flyer Japeth Aguilar finished with 11 points.

Washington was chosen to beef up the squad for the Wuhan tilt along with Meralco's Jared Dillinger and Gilas cadet squad members Jake Pascual, Garvo Lanete, and Kevin Alas.

Import Chris Eversley sizzled for 34 points for the Dragons, who are coached by Filipino Ariel Vanguardia. Before the game, Vanguardia wrote on Facebook how the Dragons "are so honoured" to play the Philippine team in a tuneup.

"I always mention to our KL Dragons team how the Gilas program brought back the Philippine Basketball to the world map. With their HEART and PRIDE!! PUSO" wrote Vanguardia, whose team is in the midst of its own buildup for the upcoming ASEAN Basketball League season.

Newly-crowned PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo finished with six points in 14 minutes of action. - JST, GMA News