#ThankYouKuyaMarcus

Gilas I is Douthit
(Photo credit to PhilStar.com)

For all the on and off court success enjoyed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas' Gilas men's basketball program, we wouldn't fault the casual fan if they thought that it has always been this way form the very start.

Because quite honestly, it wasn't.

It took the addition of 6"11 US NCAA Division 1 standout Marcus Douthit of the Providence College Friars to get the program going from "just another basketball team" to "Asian basketball powerhouse" somewhere around 2009 to 2010.

See, the Gilas program was initially meant to do away with hastily forming a PBA All Star team whenever an international meet would come up. Most of the players who signed up for the program were fresh out of college: Mark Barroca, JVee Casio, Dylan Ababou, Mac Baracael and Chris Tiu. They then added some more names such as Japeth Aguilar, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz, but overall they were a bunch of snot-nosed college kids being asked to reclaim Asian basketball supremacy for the Philippines-- even if they were coached by Serbian Rajko Toroman.

Quite the tall order, really.

Gilas I first paraded an import named CJ Giles, who was pretty much built like Aguilar (skinny, wiry, can jump out of the building) and played just as raw. Problem was, we were looking at Asian teams that featured legitimate high/low post threats (Iran's Hamed Haddadi, China's Yi Jianlian, Chinese Taipei's Tseng Wen Ting, to name a few) and Giles was clearly just not up to the mark. Sure, he could block shots and move his feet, but a team packed with youngsters needed more "muscle" if it were to really compete.

Along came Douthit.

It was some time in 2010 when Douthit joined Gilas I and things started falling into place. The team suddenly had an inside presence, a legitimate 20 and 15 guy who could block shots and set sturdy screens for Barroca (primary offensive weapon) and shooters Tiu, Lutz and Lassiter. Douthit by his lonesome was so good, that Gilas I was able to hold its own even against PBA teams and some of the Eastern teams.

From 2010 to maybe 2013, Douthit would carry Gilas I and later on II and even the Sinag cadet squad in many international tournaments. His role shifted from team to team, if he was on a PBA-backed Gilas squad he would concentrate more on a role of rebounder, passer and defender. If he were on a younger team like the cadet squad, he'd assume the role of the "kuya" on the floor.

Hell, he even took as us far as the Playoffs in the 2013 FIBA Asia meet before succumbing to injury versus Korea. Our locals fought valiantly in that game, scratched and clawed out a win. But what if Kuya Marcus were there and didn't get hurt early? Perhaps the road versus Iran in the Gold medal match would've been a bit easier. And maybe we could've pulled off an upset over the many-time Asian champions?

Who knows, really?

Then, just when he was able to get some rest post-FIBA Asia as we geared up for the FIBA World Cup with his beloved comrades, he was asked to take a backseat to Andray Blatche.

Sure, he's the NBA-er. Sure, he's better. Sure, without him we would've been the laughing stock in that tournament.

But Douthit brought us to the dance. From 2010 to 2013.

When he was asked to reinforce the post-Spain Gilas in the Asian Games, he didn't look the same. He was going through the motions. Chot Reyes was chewing him out for the entire world to see. It's one thing to call out a player in the local media, it's another to have this quiet big guy shamed before the whole Asian press.

And so came the dip in Douthit's game. He wasn't the same since-- from reinforcing the Cadet Squad to even playing in the PBA with Blackwater, Douthit just didn't look and feel right. Blame it on the injury. Or maybe the age. Some would even go as far as to question his mindset and heart.

Whatever.

In our honest opinion, Douthit deserves more than just being unceremoniously "fired" from the Gilas program. Reports have it that he was told that his services were no longer needed-- not with Blatche around. Even for practice games or what not, this is the end for Douthit and Gilas.

Maybe TV5 could do a special on Douthit, his accomplishments, his time spent with Gilas, hell, throw in a PBA half time ceremony just to thank the guy for all that he's given.

Thank you Marcus Douthit for bringing Philippine basketball back atop Asia.