WHEN the Philippines played in the 2014 Fiba Basketball World Cup, one player was conspicuously missing from the roster even though he was with Gilas Pilipinas side that placed second in the Fiba Asia Championship the previous year.
Although he was a big part of the country’s quest to return to the world stage, naturalized player Marcus Douthit said he didn't harbor ill-feelings over the decision to replace him with Andray Blatche in the 2014 World Cup team.
Douthit admitted it was difficult not to be able to play in the World Cup, but said that he understood the decision since the Philippines was trying to put together the strongest possible team in its return to the competition after a 36-year absence.
“That part was a bit difficult but at the end of the day, I think it was nothing personal. It was what’s best for the country at that point in time,” said Douthit.

Douthit was already the country’s naturalized player since 2010 under head coach Rajko Toroman and stayed on for that 2013 Fiba Asia Championship where Gilas Pilipinas was able to qualify for the World Cup after finishing second to Iran.
Douthit, though, missed the gold-medal match against Iran after suffering an injury during that epic semifinal victory against archrival Korea.
Douthit recalled the coaching staff indicated that all the players who were there will be part of the Gilas Pilipinas bound for Spain.
“I guess when we did that European trip, we had Beau Belga and all those guys. [Gilas coach] Chot [Reyes] sent everyone down and said, ‘This is the road to Spain’ and everyone will be here and everyone will be part of Gilas,” Douthit said.
"Everyone took it like it was this team that is going to Spain."

However, changes were made along the way with other players being added to the pool. That included Blatche, who before joining Gilas Pilipinas was only a few months removed from playing for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA.
“I guess, when everything came up and the whole choosing with Andray or Marcus and all of that, they were adding players that weren’t in that room when we said, ‘This is the road to Spain,’” said Douthit.
“But I guess, once we got to Spain, everything changed and they felt was what’s best for the country,” he said.
Even before the changes were announced, Douthit said he already had an inkling that Blatche will eventually take his spot.
“Everything that went on with him, the passport, and all that stuff, and the money spent readying and preparing for Spain, it was just too much stuff going to that they couldn’t have Dray play,” Douthit said.
But like a true professional, Douthit accepted his fate and continued to support the team from the sidelines during the campaign in Seville.
“At the end of the day, I get it. They try to put the best team forward and all those guys that they said the previous year that was going to be part of Spain were there. All the guys were there. But being there and playing are two different things,” said Douthit.
Even with him not in the final lineup. Douthit, now 40, said it was still a memorable experience to be part of the team during the World Cup.
“I was there the whole way. We travelled with like 20 guys. We basically had like two teams. It was cool. I was disappointed because if it wasn’t for the guys from Day One, we wouldn’t got to that point," he recalled.
"Maybe they felt like I was going to be injured again like I did (during the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship), who knows, and I have a reinforcement (in Blatche). They did what’s best and I’m still part of it," Douthit added.
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