Marcus Douthit: (2013 FIBA Asia Championship) is probably the best basketball I'm gonna play in my life

Ang naturalized 6’10” center na tubong New York, USA na si Marcus Douthit ang isa sa mga pinakainaasahang players ng ating national basketball team. Tinulungan niyang manalo ang PIlipinas sa 2010 Philippine Invitational Cup at maka-third place sa 2010 William Jones Cup. Kasama rin siya sa koponang nag-uwi ng 2012 William Jones Cup championship sa bansa matapos kalabanin ang USA team sa finals.



Nakapanayam ng “Sports Pilipinas” host na si Chino Trinidad ang dating second round NBA draft pick ng Los Angeles Lakers tungkol sa kanyang role sa Gilas at sa mga natutunan niya sa tatlong taon niyang paninirahan sa Pilipinas.

Chino Trinidad: What is it in Philippine basketball that you have learned in the three years that you have been here?

Marcus Douthit: I learned the drive that all the guys have -- from college, all the way up to the PBA -- (do) whatever it takes to win. It’s something that I’ve instilled in myself since I’ve been here the last three years.

CT: When you play, they say, “How come you call him a Filipino? You are naturalized but that is just (the) technical side of it. Deep inside, you might not have Filipino blood, (but) once we see you on (the) court, you want to win as much as we want to win. It’s not about the color, it’s not about the blood, it’s about what?

MD: It’s a disease here! You play hard and you see your other teammates fight for you, and you see the bench fight for you, it’s a family atmosphere right away no matter what team I play with. I’ve played with three or four Gilas teams and it’s the same no matter what team comes on the floor with me. I just think that that’s instilled in the culture here and that’s something that I’ve learned.

CT: We might not have ended where we wanted (during the 2011 FIBA Asia Championships, landing fourth place and coming up short in getting a spot in the 2012 London Olympics), but if there’s something that you learned from that experience, (what is it)?

MD: For the young guys to come up and still finish where we finished, that's not bad at all. I was definitely hurt that we didn't get where we needed to get for the country, but as far as (the team's growth is concerned), it's amazing.

Dagdag ni Marcus, hindi niya pasan-pasan ang Gilas. Sa katunayan, bilib siya sa mga kasama niya sa Gilas at batid niyang malaking tulong sila sa bawat laban.

MD: When they walked (back) into their teams, they got immediate playing time. They (are now) top players or in the rotation, top three or top four. So if anything, (Gilas) made them even better (players). That made the PBA even better. So at a national standpoint, it's still bringing better competition back into the Philippines.

Pinaghahandaan na ngayon ni Marcus ang 2013 FIBA Asia Championships na gaganapin dito sa Pilipinas ngayong darating na Agosto. Nangangako siyang gagawin niya ang lahat upang pumasok ang Pilipinas sa 2014 FIBA World Cup na gaganapin sa Spain.

CT: How are you taking this challenge? As we prepare for the (2013 FIBA Asia Championships that will hopefully take the Philippine team to the 2014 FIBA World Cup)?

MD: I'm starting to prepare now. Everyday, I'm taking it personal. So this August is probably the best basketball I'm ever gonna play in my life. (The reason) is because I have so much time to prepare. Even when I was trying out for the NBA, you have a month, a month and a half (to prepare). Right now, I got five months to get stronger, get faster, refresh my moves, everything. So this is probably the best basketball I hope to play in my life, come August.

CT: But being naturalized, being called a Filipino, it comes with a price for anyone. But on your part, playing is no longer about how much you get in terms of the contract, right?

MD: It’s definitely not about money. I could have gotten a lot more money in a lot of different places than here. It’s more than a blessing and a privilege that the country gave me to represent them. They could’ve gotten (other) Americans that can play basketball, they’ve got imports coming in every single year (but they chose me). I just got a great opportunity and I’m just trying to take that and help the country get to where they need to get to. The only way I can repay them is to work as hard as I possibly can.

-Grace Gaddi, GMA News