Sa FIBA-Asia championship: Magkakampeon ang Gilas - Douthit
MANILA, Philippines - Walang kurap na sinabi ni naturalized player Marcus Douthit na inaasahan niyang magkakampeon ang Gilas Pilipinas sa daraÂting na 2013 FIBA-Asia Championships na nakaÂtakda sa Agosto 1-11.
Ayon kay Douthit, ang China at Iran ang dalawang maglalaban sa dalawa pang tiket patungo sa 2014 FIBA World Championships sa Spain.
“This is the longest time I’m preparing for a competition in my career, even longer than camps in the NBA,†sabi ng 6-10, 235-pound na dating Providence College center.
“It’s one of the biggest moments of my life. I’m foÂcusing on being mentally and physically ready. I’m not thinking about Spain yet, I’m just thinking of FIBA-Asia five months from now. There’s no second chance for us. If we don’t qualify, we’ve got nothing going for us next year. Unless we get it done, we’ll end up with nothing. That’s why I’m focused on being in the best shape of my career. I expect Gilas to be No. 1. China or Iran will finish next--one will be second and the other, third,†dagdag pa nito.
Para paghandaan ang nasabing qualifier, dinala ni Douthit ang professional trainer na si Mark Williams mula sa New York.
Si Williams, ang lead trainer at founder ng Team Footprintz Elite Basketball Training, ay dumating sa bansa noong nakaraang linggo at sinasanay si DoutÂhit ng tatlong beses sa isang araw.
Makikita sina Douthit at Williams sa Moro Lorenzo para sa hoop drills at kinagabihan naman sa Fitness First para sa strength and conditioning.
“I’m not worried about the other teams,†wika ni Douthit na hindi pinapansin sina NBA veterans Wang Zhizhi at Yi Jianlian ng China.
“I’m just concerned about our team. The other teams won’t beat us. If we lose, it’s because we beat ourselves. If we do what we’re supposed to, we’ll be okay. I don’t keep up with what’s going on with the other teams. I hear Lebanon naturalizes players at the rate of two a year,†ani Douthit.
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